U.S. Soldiers Killed In Syria Identified As Family Man And ‘Amazing Man Of Faith’

Two American soldiers who were killed by a member of the Syrian security forces on Saturday were identified as Iowa National Guardsmen Nate Howard and Edgar Torres.

Howard’s stepfather, the chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Iowa, revealed on Saturday night that Howard was one of the soldiers killed when a terrorist believed to have been affiliated with ISIS ambushed U.S. and Syrian troops who were meeting together in the Syrian desert. The gunman also killed Torres and American interpreter Ayad Sakat.

“My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Chief Jeffrey Bunn said. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind.”

“Nate was a loving husband to his wife Arianna Howard, a great son, an amazing man of faith and is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven,” Bunn added. “Nate was also a big brother to Staff Sgt James Roelsgard, also deployed through the Iowa National Guard. His little brother will be escorting Nate home. His other Soldiers and the Interpreter were heroes doing what they loved for our Country.”

Torres was described by his fellow soldiers as a family man and a “very positive soldier.” The Iowa National Guard troops were “conducting a key leader engagement as part of their assigned mission in the ongoing counter-ISIS and counter-terrorism efforts in the region,” according to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

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

The attacker clashed with security guards and then opened fire after making his way into a building where American and Syrian troops were eating lunch. The gunman, who has not been identified, was killed by return fire. Syrian officials said that the attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces, but he was about to be dismissed over his “extremist” views, The New York Times reported.

Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships

Syria’s government is led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who once led a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, but is now working with U.S. forces to establish control over the country and push out ISIS. The man who killed U.S. troops on Saturday joined the Syrian security forces as a security guard earlier this year, but was transferred to a different unit two months ago over suspicions that he was leaking information to ISIS, according to the Associated Press. The gunman was slated to be officially dismissed from his position in the Syrian security forces osn Sunday, just one day after he opened fire on American soldiers.

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the shooting “was an ISIS attack against the U.S.” and vowed to retaliate.

“We mourn the loss of three great patriots in Syria — you know how it happened, an ambush,” Trump said. “Terrible. We still have three wounded that seem to be doing pretty well. But we mourn the loss, these are great — these are three great people, and just a terrible thing.”

“Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us. The president, the new president of Syria, as they told me … is devastated by what happened. This was an ISIS attack on us and Syria,” he added. “We pray for them, and their parents, and their loved ones, very, very sad … and we WILL retaliate.”

Trump met with Syria’s president in the Oval Office last month for a discussion that focused on rebuilding Syria and keeping terrorists at bay following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa sparked controversy since the Syrian president once led a terrorist organization and had been on the U.S. terror watch list.