Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed the U.S. will "avenge" two Iowa National Guard members killed in an ambush in Palmyra, Syria, promising action "with overwhelming force." Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, died alongside a civilian interpreter; several U.S. and Syrian personnel were wounded. The administration blames a lone Islamic State gunman who reportedly infiltrated a coalition meeting; President Trump pledged a "very serious" retaliation and defended the continued U.S. presence in Syria.
U.S. Promises 'Overwhelming Force' After Ambush Kills Two Iowa Guardsmen in Syria
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed Monday that the United States will "avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force" after two Iowa National Guard members were killed in an ambush in Palmyra, Syria.
Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were killed Saturday in the attack. A civilian interpreter working with counterterrorism efforts was also killed. Three other U.S. service members and two members of the Syrian security forces were wounded.
U.S. Reaction
On X, Hegseth said:
"The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force. Their memory will live on through their families, their fellow warriors still serving our country, and in my unwavering commitment to our warfighters around the globe."
President Trump also pledged a "very serious" retaliation, saying the responsible terrorist group "will be hit hard." He defended the ongoing presence of roughly 1,000 U.S. forces in Syria, describing their mission as counterterrorism and stability operations aimed at preserving security in the region.
Who Was Responsible
The administration has attributed the ambush to a lone gunman affiliated with the Islamic State. According to Syria's Interior Ministry, it had warned U.S. counterparts of potential ISIS attacks on American troops beforehand. The ministry said the gunman slipped into a meeting between Syrian forces and a small group of international coalition members that was convened to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.
A senior U.S. military official told The New York Times that American soldiers were providing security for the meeting and characterized the attacker as an ISIS-affiliated lone gunman.
Context
U.S. forces have been in Syria for years to counter ISIS insurgents and Iranian-backed proxies and to secure strategically important areas, including energy infrastructure. The Syrian presidency has changed hands recently, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa — who assumed office last year — has been attempting to reassert control and unify fractured military forces amid ongoing instability.
The ambush underscores persistent security risks in the region and the challenges faced by coalition forces working alongside local partners to counter terrorist threats.
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