The Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a recent ISIS ambush in Syria have been identified, prompting a vow of serious retaliation from President Trump.
Two soldiers from the Iowa National Guard were killed in an ambush attack by ISIS in Syria, according to a senior U.S. official. The attack occurred in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, where an ISIS gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon, resulting in the deaths of the two soldiers and an American civilian translator. Three additional U.S. soldiers sustained injuries during the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attacker had previously been affiliated with Syrian government forces and was a low-level member of the Syrian Security Forces before aligning with ISIS. The official clarified that the gunman was not part of the official delegation being escorted by U.S. and Syrian troops, indicating that this incident would not be classified as a “green on blue” attack, which typically involves attacks by local forces against coalition troops.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that the ambush was executed by a lone ISIS gunman, and President Donald Trump responded to the attack with a promise of “very serious retaliation.” In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed his condolences, stating, “We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well.”
Trump emphasized the nature of the attack, labeling it as an ISIS assault against U.S. and Syrian forces in a region that remains perilous and not fully under control of any single entity. This incident follows a recent attack in Washington, D.C., where two members of the West Virginia National Guard were ambushed, resulting in one soldier’s death.
The ongoing violence in Syria continues to pose significant risks to U.S. personnel deployed in the region. As the situation develops, the U.S. military and government officials are likely to reassess their strategies in response to the persistent threat posed by ISIS and other extremist groups.
According to Fox News, the tragic loss of the Iowa National Guard soldiers underscores the dangers faced by American troops abroad and the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Syria.