War Sec Hegseth issues statement after two US soldiers killed in Syria are identified

Two U.S. Army soldiers killed during a play onslaught by Islamic terrorists successful Syria person been identified, prompting an outpouring of prayers and a vow from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that the United States volition respond with force.

Hegseth urged Americans to commune for the fallen soldiers, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, aft their names were released Monday by the Department of War.

"Please articulation maine successful supplication contiguous for the souls of our brave Army Soldiers Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, who were killed by Islamic terrorists successful Syria this past weekend," Hegseth said successful a statement. "Our hearts spell retired to their families, and we assistance them up successful supplication for spot and comfortableness during this clip of grief."

The Iowa National Guard said the soldiers were killed Saturday, Dec. 13, successful an force onslaught adjacent Palmyra, Syria, successful accordance with Department of War casualty merchandise authority.

TRUMP ADDRESSES TRIO OF ATTACKS IN SYRIA, BROWN UNIVERSITY, AND AUSTRALIA AT WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS EVENT

Sgt. William Howard, left, and Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, successful Palmyra, Syria. (Iowa National Guard)

Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Torres Tovar, 25, of Grimes, Iowa, served with the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. The portion is deployed to the Middle East arsenic portion of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led ngo to counsel and assistance spouse forces successful ongoing operations against ISIS.

"Today, we grant the representation and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres Tovar by sharing their names with a grateful authorities and nation," Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant wide of the Iowa National Guard, said. "They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard household who represented the champion of Iowa. Our absorption present is providing unwavering enactment to their families done this unimaginable clip and ensuring the bequest of these 2 heroes is ne'er forgotten."

Three further soldiers from the Iowa National Guard were wounded successful the attack, officials said. Two were medically evacuated and are successful unchangeable condition. A 3rd was treated locally and is successful bully condition. Their names were not released nether Department of War policy.

ARMY IDENTIFIES TWO IOWA NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS KILLED IN SYRIA

"Please articulation maine successful supplication contiguous for the souls of our brave Army Soldiers Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, who were killed by Islamic terrorists successful Syria this past weekend," Secretary Hegseth said successful a statement. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Officials said the soldiers and a civilian interpreter were conducting a cardinal person engagement with section partners successful enactment of ongoing counter-ISIS operations erstwhile the attacker opened fire. Initial assessments bespeak the battle was apt carried retired by an ISIS-affiliated gunman operating extracurricular the country controlled by interim Syrian authorities.

Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn identified his son, Sgt. Howard, arsenic 1 of the soldiers killed, describing him successful a Facebook station arsenic a devoted work subordinate who "would beryllium the archetypal successful and past out."

"Please commune for our Soldiers each astir this cruel world," Bunn wrote. "We volition spot you again son, until past we person i[t] from here." 

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered each flags successful the authorities to alert astatine half-staff successful grant of the fallen soldiers, saying the authorities mourns their sacrifice.

"Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres-Tovar served our authorities and federation with honor, and successful doing so, gave the eventual sacrifice," Reynolds wrote successful a connection connected X. "Kevin and I connection our prayers and condolences to their families and inquire that Iowans basal agreed successful enactment of them during this hard time."

Hegseth said the sacrifice of the fallen Americans volition not spell unanswered.

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"The United States of America volition avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force," helium said. "Their representation volition unrecorded connected done their families, their chap warriors inactive serving our country, and successful my unwavering committedness to our warfighters astir the globe."

Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send communicative tips to [email protected].