Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Syria Identified as Heroic Patriots and Men of Faith

Two American soldiers killed during a deadly ambush in Syria over the weekend have been identified as Iowa National Guardsmen Nate Howard and Edgar Torres both described as men of deep faith, family, and patriotism.

The tragic attack occurred on Saturday, when a gunman reportedly a member of the Syrian security forces opened fire during a joint lunch between U.S. and Syrian troops in the Syrian desert. The assailant killed Howard, Torres, and American interpreter Ayad Sakat, before being taken down by return fire.

Nate Howard’s stepfather, Chief Jeffrey Bunn of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department, shared the devastating news on social media just hours after the ambush.

“Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out no one left behind.”

Bunn described Howard as a loving husband, a devout Christian, and a brother in arms. He revealed that Nate’s younger brother, Staff Sgt. James Roelsgard, also deployed with the Iowa National Guard, would be escorting Nate’s body home.

“Nate was a great son, an amazing man of faith and is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven,” Bunn said.

Fellow soldiers remembered Edgar Torres as a family man and a positive force in their unit, someone deeply committed to the mission of combating terrorism and keeping Americans safe.

According to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, the soldiers were engaged in a key leader engagement as part of ongoing counter-ISIS operations in the region.

“Our hearts are heavy today,” Reynolds said. “Our prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of our soldiers killed in action.”

The attacker, identified as a Syrian security officer, had reportedly been under surveillance for extremist behavior and suspected ties to ISIS. According to Syrian officials, the gunman was scheduled to be dismissed the day after the attack. He had previously been transferred out of his post after concerns that he was leaking information to ISIS leadership.

In a disturbing twist, the attack happened while U.S. and Syrian troops were eating lunch together, illustrating just how close our allies-turned-enemies can sit before turning deadly.

The Syrian government, now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa who once headed a U.S.-designated terrorist organization is working with the U.S. military to rebuild control and eliminate ISIS remnants following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

President Donald Trump, who has maintained a direct role in overseeing U.S. foreign policy and rebuilding ties with transitional governments, did not mince words when reacting to the attack.

“We mourn the loss of three great patriots in Syria you know how it happened, an ambush. Terrible,” Trump said Saturday. “This was an ISIS attack on us and Syria… we WILL retaliate.”

Trump confirmed that three other soldiers were wounded, and while they are expected to recover, the loss of Howard, Torres, and Sakat is already being felt deeply across military and patriotic circles.

The president also revealed that he had previously met with Syrian President al-Sharaa in the Oval Office just last month a controversial but strategic meeting meant to ensure post-Assad Syria does not fall back into terrorist hands.

While the legacy media might clutch their pearls over Trump’s diplomatic pragmatism, this attack proves what conservatives have warned for years: you cannot afford weakness in the face of evil. When radical ideologies are allowed to fester, even among supposed allies, American lives are at risk.

Remember Their Names

• Nate Howard: Husband, brother, soldier, and follower of Christ.

• Edgar Torres: Devoted family man, patriot, and soldier who led with positivity.

• Ayad Sakat: Interpreter and hero who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. troops.

Their sacrifice deserves more than thoughts and prayers. It demands action, accountability, and a foreign policy built on strength, not surrender.

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