The remains of two Iowa National Guard members killed in a Syrian desert attack were repatriated to Des Moines on Christmas Eve, bringing a solemn conclusion to a tragic week for their families.
Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and William Nathanial Howard, 29, were among those killed in an ambush on December 13. Their caskets were escorted by family and fellow guardsmen in a ceremony attended by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Senator Joni Ernst, and Representative Zach Nunn.
Both soldiers were posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. Their remains had been flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where President Donald Trump paid his respects, before being transferred to Des Moines.
Following the attack, President Trump promised 'very serious retaliation', and the US military conducted strikes described by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as a 'declaration of vengeance'. Three other Iowa National Guard members were wounded, with two evacuated from Syria for medical care.
Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a US civilian interpreter also killed in the attack, was laid to rest in Michigan over the weekend.
