Hunter
12/14/25
Two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed Saturday morning in central Syria.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports U.S. officials have blamed the attack on the Islamic State group, marking the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in the country in more than a year.
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. Three others were injured.
The soldiers’ families have been notified; their names are to be released by the end of the weekend.
At a news conference Saturday night at the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston, Governor Kim Reynolds said her deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the soldiers.
General Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn told reporters at the press conference that of the injured soldiers, two have injuries that are significant but are reportedly making progress, while the third suffered superficial injuries and was returned to base.
The attack occurred near the historic city of Palmyra.
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.
More details: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/two-iowa-national-guard-members-killed-three-injured-in-syria-attack-blamed-on-islamic-state/