Two Iowa National Guard members killed, three injured in Syria attack blamed on Islamic State

JOHNSTON — Two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed and three injured Saturday in an attack in central Syria that U.S. officials have blamed on the Islamic State group, marking the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in the country in more than a year and coming on the 389th birthday of the National Guard.

Iowa and U.S. officials said the two service members, along with a U.S. civilian interpreter, were killed when a lone attacker opened fire near a military post in a region where U.S. and partner forces are conducting counterterrorism operations, the Associated Press reported.

Three additional Iowa National Guard members were wounded in the ambush, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds told reporters during a news conference Saturday night at the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston.

The soldiers’ families have been notified; their names will not be released until Sunday, Reynolds and Guard leaders said.

“Our hearts are heavy today and our prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and the loved ones of these soldiers,” Reynolds said during the press conference.

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Of the injured soldiers, two have injuries that are “significant,” while the third was “superficial,” Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn told reporters at the press conference. The two with significant injuries are in critical condition but are stable and “made progress” Saturday, Osborn said. They are being treated at a hospital at an air base in Amman, Jordan. The soldier with the lesser injury was treated and returned to base, Osborn said.

The attack occurred near the historic city of Palmyra. The military said the attacker was killed during the incident. Osborn described soldiers’ activity as a “key leader engagement” and the attack as an “ambush.” He said the incident remains under investigation.

“Our soldiers were doing their job: serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said. “They carried out their mission to the best of their ability, and we are proud of their incredible service and sacrifice. And we will continue to stand strong as a team, united in the purpose and resolve of their mission.”

Reynolds said she learned of the attack at roughly 9 a.m. Central on Saturday, and at 11:30 a.m. she joined Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn and other Iowa National Guard leaders at the Guard’s headquarters for a secure briefing from U.S. military leaders in the Middle East.

Reynolds said she spoke with the families of the two Iowa soldiers who were killed.

“As you can imagine, they’re devastated,” Reynolds said. “I ask that all Iowans stand united in supporting them and lifting them up in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. Please pray also for the fast and full recovery of our wounded soldiers. …

“It’s devastating. It’s hard enough to be away from your loved one during the holidays, to have them deployed, let alone have them killed in action. I’ve offered our condolences. I’ve given them my cellphone number, so if there’s anything that they need from us that they can call me night or day and we’ll do what we can to help meet the need.”

The last Iowa National Guard member killed in action before Saturday’s attack was Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker of Cedar Rapids, who died in July 2011 while deployed to Afghanistan. Pasker, 39, was killed when an Afghan security officer opened fire on his armored vehicle during a routine checkpoint near a reconstruction site in Panjshir province. He was weeks away from returning home to Iowa at the time of his death.

“There will be very serious retaliation,” President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, calling the shooting an attack by the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.

The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, said the civilian killed was a U.S. interpreter. Syrian officials said members of Syria’s security forces were also wounded.

The attack came as Iowa has sent about 1,800 National Guard troops to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission to defeat ISIS. The Iowa Army National Guard held dozens of send-off ceremonies across the state in May as soldiers prepared for yearlong deployments to Iraq and Syria.

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The deaths occurred on the 389th anniversary of the National Guard’s founding. The Guard traces its origins to Dec. 13, 1636, when colonial militias were established in Massachusetts Bay, making it the oldest component of the U.S. armed forces.

U.S. officials said the shooting is under investigation. Syrian state media reported the gunman opened fire at the gate of a military post, and Syrian authorities later said the attacker had links to extremist ideology. U.S. officials did not confirm whether the gunman was affiliated with Syrian security forces.

The attack was the first in Syria to kill U.S. service members since the fall of former President Bashar Assad late last year. Although ISIS was defeated on the battlefield in 2019, U.S. officials and the United Nations say the group maintains sleeper cells capable of carrying out deadly attacks.

Iowa officials react

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and former member of the Iowa National Guard, said the loss is being felt deeply across the state.

“Please join me in praying for the families of these American heroes. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said in a statement. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combating the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he and his wife, Barbara, were “heartbroken” by the loss of the two Iowa soldiers.

"These soldiers and the civilian interpreter who was with them paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to them for their service to our country," Grassley said in a statement. "My prayers are with their families, loved ones, fellow soldiers and Iowans as we mourn this terrible tragedy. We also pray for the full recovery of the three Iowans who suffered injuries.”

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, recalled attending deployment ceremonies for Iowa Guard members.

“Our worst fear came true. The two U.S. soldiers killed in Syria were members of the Iowa National Guard,” Miller-Meeks wrote on Facebook. “Just a few months ago, I stood with our Guardsmen in Iowa City and Davenport as they deployed. Now we mourn two heroes taken too soon. Please pray for their families, for the rest of our Guard, and for all those still serving. Iowa will never forget.”

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, posting to social media, said he spoke with President Trump and urged “swift action — to protect our warriors still manning the frontline and to hold those responsible accountable.”

“Tonight, we come together as a state and as a nation to mourn the heartbreaking loss of two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria, and three others wounded in action,” Nunn posted to X. “These brave Iowans are among the nearly 2,000 Guardsmen forward deployed to USCENTCOM, risking their lives to protect America from ISIS terrorists. Tonight, I shared with the President the strong history of Iowa’s National Guard service and our citizen-soldiers. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten. I counseled the President, ‘Peace through Strength’ demands swift action — to protect our warriors still manning the frontline and to hold those responsible accountable.”

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, also offered condolences.

“My heart goes out to the families of the U.S. troops killed in Syria today and to all our brave men and women serving overseas,” Hinson posted on X. “Matt and I are devastated by this news — please join us in praying for our troops, their families, and the mission to defeat terrorism and keep Americans safe. I will continue to monitor the situation closely as families are notified.”

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said Iowa and the nation are mourning the loss of the soldiers killed in the attack.

“Iowa and our nation mourns the brave Iowans who were murdered by terrorists in Syria and pray for those injured,” Feenstra said in a statement. “Members of the Iowa National Guard are incredible patriots and selfless Americans who dedicate their lives to serving our country. I know that President Trump will hold the terrorist who committed this disgusting crime accountable. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this tragic time. Today and always, we owe our men and women in uniform our unwavering gratitude and deepest appreciation.”

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the deaths were “absolutely shocking news” for the state.

“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart said in a statement. “May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

The Asssociated Press contributed to this report.