President Donald Trump attended a solemn ceremony on Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, to honour three U.S. personnel killed in Syria by a suspected Islamic State attacker. The president was joined by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as the remains of the fallen were returned to American soil in flag-draped caskets.
A Solemn Farewell at Dover
On a cold and windy day, Trump and Hegseth stood at the foot of an Air Force transport plane, saluting as each casket was carried by white-gloved soldiers and placed into a waiting vehicle. The ceremony, known as a “dignified transfer,” was attended by the victims’ families and military officials.
The U.S. military identified the victims as Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, both members of the Iowa National Guard. The third victim was Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter from Michigan. The three were killed on Saturday in the Syrian town of Palmyra when an attacker targeted their convoy before being shot dead by U.S. and Syrian forces.
Commitment and Retaliation
Following the incident, Trump described the attack as “terrible” and vowed that the United States would respond. He called the fallen personnel “great patriots” who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving abroad. Three additional U.S. soldiers were wounded in the assault, the military said.
In recent months, U.S.-led coalition forces have intensified air strikes and ground operations in Syria against Islamic State suspects, often working in coordination with Syrian security units. The renewed offensive reflects Washington’s ongoing effort to prevent the resurgence of the militant group in the region.
Honouring Service and Sacrifice
Ceremonies like the one at Dover have long been a tradition during times of conflict, offering a moment for national leaders to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in service. Dover Air Force Base is home to the largest U.S. military mortuary, where fallen troops are formally received before being returned to their families.
The dignified transfer on Wednesday served as both a symbol of national mourning and a reminder of the enduring risks faced by American forces deployed abroad.
(with inputs from Reuters)
