By Marissa Payne, Lee Rood, Brandon Hurley, Des Moines Register
Two Iowa National Guard soldiers were killed and three were injured during a recent attack in Syria by a suspected “lone ISIS gunman in Syria,” Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa National Guard officials confirmed.
The two unnamed soldiers were killed Saturday, Dec. 13, Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said during a press conference in Johnston. One U.S. civilian also was killed in the ambush, which remains under investigation.
Iowa currently has approximately 1,800 soldiers deployed in the Middle East, and of those, 200-250 National Guard members in Syria. Those involved in the attack were on a mission in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell posted on X at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, that two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian U.S. interpreter were killed in Palmyra, Syria while three others were injured. The interpreter was not from Iowa, Osborn confirmed.
Parnell said the soldiers were “conducting a key leader engagement,” providing support for ongoing “counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations” in the Syrian region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans “very serious retaliation” in a post on Truth Social, noting Saturday’s incident was an “ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them.”
“The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack,” Trump said in his post.
Secretary of the U.S. Army Dan Driscoll also responded on X, saying he’s praying for the soldiers and families involved. “The men and women who serve our country represent the very best of our nation,” Driscoll said. “We mourn the passing of these heroes and honor their service and sacrifice.”
Identities of Iowa soldiers will be released Sunday
The identities of the two Iowa National Guard soldiers will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified, according to the Pentagon.
Reynolds joined Osborn and other Iowa National Guard leaders at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston on Saturday for a secure briefing on the situation by the commander on the ground in the Middle East. Information released was limited “out of respect for the families and for the safety of our service members.”
“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 throughout this incredibly difficult time. Please pray also for the fast and full recovery of our wounded soldiers. And at this time, let’s remember all of our Iowa National Guard service members, especially those who served side by side with the soldiers killed and wounded today … and at the same time, everyone who wears the Iowa National Guard uniform.”
The slain and injured soldiers are from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, which began deploying to the Middle East in late May 2025 for Operation Inherent Resolve to advise and assist forces tasked with “defeat[ing] ISIS.”
The last Iowa guardsman to die was in Afghanistan in July 2011.
“Our soldiers were doing their job, serving with courage, dedication and professionalism,” Osborn said.
What is the status of the injured soldiers in Syria?
Osborn said one injury was superficial and the individual has been evacuated back to the base in Syria and is being treated.
The major general said the other two injuries were significant. The soldiers are in a hospital at the Jordanian Air base and are stable in critical condition.
Osborn said the injured service members will be evacuated to the U.S. hospital in Germany for additional treatment and then sent to a hospital in the U.S. Families will be allowed to visit their soldier in Germany depending on the duration of their stay and their condition.
Pentagon delays naming fallen Iowa National Guard members
The Department of War initially said both names would be released at 5 p.m. Sunday. They pushed that timeline back more than two hours at 3:30 p.m., then ultimately delayed the announcement to 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to a statement from the Iowa National Guard.
“As we are always working to be considered the most trusted organization in the state, we are committed to being as transparent as possible while honoring our fallen service members and their families,” Iowa National Guard director of public affairs Jackie Schmillen said in an email shortly before 8 p.m. “At this time, we need to inform you that the release authority for this information rests with the Department of War and the U.S. Army, as these soldiers were serving on a federal mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
To allow sufficient coordination time for appropriate entities prior to public release, the Department of War has directed us that the information be embargoed.”
Iowa legislators offer condolences to families of slain National Guardsmen
Several Iowa officials and legislators offered their condolences through a variety of statements Saturday night.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R), is a combat veteran who served in the Iowa National Guard and the Global War on Terrorism. She stressed the importance of fighting for freedom and keeping “our homeland” safe.
“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 Saturday. “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.”
Longtime senator Chuck Grassley’s office noted how Dec. 13 was the 389th anniversary of the National Guard, which was born in 1636 “as a colonial militia to protect early settlers.” Grassley shared a statement in support, saying he and his wife Barbara were “heartbroken.”
“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 Saturday’s 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.”
Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) also shared a statement in response to the two soldiers who were killed and the three other National Guardsmen who were injured, saying they were “ruthlessly killed in an ambush that can only be described as evil.
“They were on a counter terrorism mission to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and they will forever be remembered as vigilant Iowa warriors,” Pat Grassley said. “Their families will be in our prayers and may we never forget their service and sacrifice.”
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart released a statement on Saturday as well, saying the ISIS attack was “shocking.”
“The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors,” Hart’s statement said. “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.”
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