Trump vows retaliation after Syria attack that killed 2 U.S. soldiers and interpreter
President Trump vowed “very serious retaliation” after an ambush near Palmyra, Syria, that U.S. officials say killed two U.S. Army soldiers — later identified as Iowa National Guard Sgts. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard — and a civilian interpreter, and wounded three other service members. CENTCOM and Pentagon officials attribute the attack to an ISIS-affiliated gunman who was killed by partner forces and say it occurred during a key leader engagement tied to counter‑ISIS operations, while Syrian sources say the shooter may have been an infiltrator within local security forces; investigations are ongoing.
📌 Key Facts
- An ambush near historic Palmyra in Syria targeted U.S. forces; SANA reported casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the al‑Tanf garrison and the attack took place in the Badia region under Syrian government control.
- Two U.S. Army soldiers from the Iowa National Guard — Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard — and a civilian interpreter were killed; three additional U.S. service members were injured.
- The shooter was described by U.S. officials and multiple outlets as a lone gunman and an ISIS infiltrator who had previous ties to Syrian security forces; Syrian authorities said he had been flagged for “extremist Islamist ideas” and reportedly planned to fire him.
- CENTCOM, the NCTC and Pentagon officials said the attacker was engaged and killed by partner forces; officials called it an “insider terrorist attack” but said it was not considered a traditional “green on blue” incident because the gunman was not part of the U.S‑escorted partnered delegation.
- No group has officially claimed responsibility, though CENTCOM and President Trump blamed ISIS and U.S. officials said the ambush occurred during a "key leader engagement" supporting counter‑ISIS operations.
- President Trump vowed “very serious retaliation” (posting on Truth Social and in on‑camera remarks) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning on X that the United States will “hunt you … and ruthlessly kill you.”
- U.S. officials said roughly 1,000 U.S. forces are in Syria supporting counter‑ISIS missions; CENTCOM noted recent advising/assistance that enabled multiple operations against ISIS. The Army said the incident remains under investigation.
- Syrian authorities arrested multiple members of security forces for questioning and reported two Syrian security personnel were wounded in the ambush; local and national officials in Iowa have publicly mourned the fallen soldiers and ordered flags lowered.
📰 Sources (13)
Army identifies two American soldiers killed in attack in Syria
New information:
- The U.S. Army formally identified the fallen soldiers as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, both of the Iowa National Guard.
- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered flags across the state to half-staff until sunset on the day of the soldiers’ funerals and issued a statement mourning their loss.
- Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the troops were supporting a 'key leader engagement' under the counter-ISIS mission at the time of the ambush.
- A Pentagon official said about 1,000 U.S. forces are currently in Syria.
- Article reiterates three U.S. service members were injured and the gunman was killed, and frames these as the first U.S. troop deaths in Syria since Assad’s fall last year.
Army identifies two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria
New information:
- The Army identified the fallen as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa.
- Both were killed Saturday near Palmyra, Syria while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
- The Army said the incident remains under investigation.
Iowa police chief's son among National Guard members killed in Syria ISIS terrorist attack
New information:
- One of the fallen soldiers was identified as Nate Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn.
- Chief Bunn publicly confirmed his son’s death in a Facebook post and shared a tribute describing Howard’s service and character.
- Howard served more than 11 years with the Iowa Army National Guard’s B Troop, 1-113th Cavalry, and worked at Fisher Controls off duty.
- Local officials, including Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt, issued statements of condolence and emphasized the personal impact on the community.
WATCH: Trump addresses deadly attacks in Syria, Australia and Rhode Island at Christmas reception
New information:
- Trump, in on‑camera White House remarks, explicitly blamed ISIS for the attack and said the Syrian government 'fought by our side.'
- AP via this report states the attack killed three U.S. citizens and cites a Syrian official describing the assailant’s recent reassignment amid ISIS suspicions.
Trump addresses trio of attacks in Syria, Brown University, and Australia at White House Christmas event
New information:
- President Trump said "there will be a lot of damage done" to those responsible for the Syria attack and that "they got the person, the individual person."
- Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the attack occurred during a key leader engagement tied to counter-ISIS operations.
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reiterated the gunman was killed by partner forces.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 14, 2025
New information:
- On-camera exchange shows President Trump committing to retaliate against ISIS: Asked 'Will the U.S. retaliate against ISIS?' he replied, 'Yes, we will.'
- Restates casualty framing from the attack as two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter killed, underscoring U.S. loss of life and triggering response.
Gunman in Syria who targeted U.S. troops believed to be ISIS infiltrator, sources say
New information:
- Multiple sources say the shooter was an ISIS infiltrator serving within a local Syrian security force in the Badia region under Syrian government control.
- Syria’s Interior Ministry spokesman said authorities had decided to fire the attacker for 'extremist Islamist ideas' and planned to do so the day after the attack.
- A Syrian security official told AFP that 11 members of the general security forces were arrested for questioning following the attack.
- Two members of Syria’s security force were wounded in the ambush.
- CENTCOM reiterated the gunman was engaged and killed; NCTC Director Joe Kent labeled it an 'insider terrorist attack.'
- No group has claimed responsibility and the attacker’s identity has not been released.
Iowa National Guard soldiers identified as victims in deadly Syria ISIS attack
New information:
- The two U.S. soldiers killed were members of the Iowa National Guard, according to a senior U.S. official.
- Preliminary assessment: the attacker was formerly affiliated with Syrian government Security Forces and later connected to ISIS.
- CENTCOM and a U.S. official clarified the incident is not considered 'green on blue' because the gunman was not part of the U.S.-Syrian partnered delegation being escorted.
3 Americans ambushed and killed in Syria, Trump blames ISIS and promises response
New information:
- CBS specifies the two fallen U.S. service members were U.S. Army soldiers.
- No group has officially claimed responsibility yet, though President Trump blames ISIS.
- Ambush described as carried out by a lone gunman near Palmyra.
Trump returns to Army-Navy showdown as Syria ambush kills 2 US soldiers, interpreter
New information:
- President Trump posted on Truth Social that there will be “very serious retaliation” for the Syria attack.
- Trump said the three injured U.S. soldiers are “doing well.”
- Trump claimed Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa is angry and disturbed by the attack.
2 U.S. service members and 1 civilian are killed in ISIS attack in Syria
New information:
- CENTCOM attributes the attack to an ISIS gunman.
- Three additional U.S. service members were injured in the ambush.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the gunman was killed by partner forces.
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the shooting occurred as soldiers were concluding a key leader engagement; mission was to support counterterrorism operations.
- CENTCOM reports that since October it has advised/assisted/enabled 22 operations against ISIS in Syria, resulting in 5 ISIS killed and 19 captured.
2 U.S. service members, 1 civilian killed in ambush in Syria, Central Command says
New information:
- SANA reports the attack occurred near historic Palmyra; casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a direct warning on X: "if you target Americans ... the United States will hunt you ... and ruthlessly kill you."
- SANA says the attacker was killed; it also initially reported two Syrian security personnel and several U.S. service members were wounded.
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims the attacker was a member of Syrian security forces.
- AP notes this is the first U.S. casualty incident in Syria since the fall of Assad last year (context/background).