2 Iowa Soldiers Killed, 3 Injured in Syria Ambush Dec. 13, 2025

ARCHIVE PHOTO: Coalition troops with Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) provide security for a multinational diplomatic delegation, including French air force Brig. Gen. François Tricot, CJ9 director with CJTF-OIR, as they prepare to depart Al-Hol camp amid low light and dust during sunset in northeast Syria, Oct. 14, 2025. The visit was part of ongoing global coalition efforts to raise awareness among countries with citizens in Al-Hol camp, which houses a population displaced by ISIS, and communicate these conditions to national authorities, while underscoring the camp’s humanitarian and security challenges, the continued need for funding, coordinated action, and support for repatriation and returns. French air force photo by 2nd Lt. Lena Adam

Leaders at the Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team (B.C.T.), 34th Infantry “Red Bull” Division (2-34th BCT) currently deployed to Southwest Asia cancelled a planned public “town-hall” videoconference via Facebook with just 4 hours before its scheduled 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time launch Sat., Dec. 13, 2025.

Hours later, Iowa government officials confirmed international news reports that two Iowa citizen-soldiers and one U.S. civilian—an interpreter assisting the Iowans—had been killed in an enemy attack in Syria Sat., Dec. 13, 2025. (Syria is 8-hours ahead of Central Daylight Time.) Three additional Iowa soldiers were wounded, and evacuated for medical treatment.

The incident reportedly occurred when a single gunman attacked during a Key-Leader Engagement (KLE) meeting either conducted or protected by the Iowa soldiers.

Coincidentally and heart-breakingly, December 13 is also the traditional birthday of the U.S. National Guard, complete with cake-cutting ceremonies.

The 2-34th BCT is currently deployed throughout Syria, Iraq and Kuwait at a strength of 1,800 soldiers, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. As part of those missions, units of the 2-34th BCT’s 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment (1-113rd Cav.) and others are operating within Syria. The Red Bull units reportedly account for 250 of approximately 900 U.S. troops currently in that country. The U.S. troop presence in Syria has reduced from about 2,000 since January 2025.

The 2-34th BCT town hall cancellation read:

“Due to the ever-changing environment, we will not be able to host our planned Facebook Live Town Hall at this time.

We truly appreciate your understanding and patience. Please know that we are working to reschedule and will be sharing an update very soon.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to connecting with you soon.”

During overseas deployments, it is common practice for military units to “go dark” or “River City”—to shut off all public-facing communications for a day or two, so that immediate family members of killed or wounded soldiers can be officially and privately notified. The practice prioritizes face-to-face communications and direct presence of family-support personnel at time of notification.

Official announcements of names of those killed or injured comes later, or at the direction or action of the deceased’s family. Until then, everything else is rumor or gossip. 

(UPDATE: At approximately 11 a.m. Sun., December 14, Jeffrey Bunn announced via Facebook that his son Sgt. William “Nate” Howard was one of the two Iowa soldiers killed: https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-army-national-guard-soldiers-killed-nate-howard-identified-by-family/69720484)

In a December 13 press release, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds indicated soldiers’ names would be withheld until 24 hours following next-of-kin notifications—a time estimated to be 5 p.m. Central Daylight Time, Sun., Dec. 14, 2025. Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, the adjutant general of Iowa, was quoted in the governor’s press release. There was apparently no separate Iowa National Guard press release.

In news reports, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated the attack had been conducted by ISIS, and promised retaliation. The New York Times reports, however, that “The Islamic State has not claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, the first killing of Americans in Syria since [former president] Mr. al-Assad was overthrown. The Syrian government has also not said who was behind the killings, even after Mr. Trump’s statement blaming ISIS, and said it had warned American counterparts about potential ISIS attacks on U.S. forces.”

A useful, detailed and non-paywalled Dec. 14, 2025 Associated Press backgrounder regarding U.S. military deployments to Syria is here at this link.