US civilian interpreter killed in Syria identified as devoted father of four

Syria

US civilian interpreter killed in Syria identified as devoted father of four

Ayad Mansoor Sakat worked alongside US soldiers from 2003-2007 during Iraq invasion

Ashley Carnahan Fox News

Published

December 18, 2025 12:34pm EST

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Trump, Iowa officials salute dignified transfer of slain soldiers and interpreter

President Donald Trump attends the dignified transfer of two Iowa National Guardsmen and an interpreter killed in Syria.

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The civilian interpreter who was killed in Palmyra, Syria, over the weekend has been identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat.

Sakat, 54, was born in Bakhdida, Iraq, and worked as an interpreter for the U.S. Army during the Iraq invasion from 2003 to 2007.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for Sakat and two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in the attack in Syria.

The Department of the Army identified the soldiers as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, who were killed while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

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A photo of the dignified transfer of Ayad Sakat's remains.

A U.S. Army carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of a U.S. civilian, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, who was killed in Syria on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Dina Qiryaqoz)

Torres-Tovar and Howard were assigned to 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division of the Iowa National Guard.

The Army said the incident remains under investigation.

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A side by side of Sgt. William Howard and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar.

Sgt. William Howard (left) and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar (right) died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Palmyra, Syria. (Iowa National Guard)

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Saturday that two Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded when an attacker opened fire.

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The service members had been conducting a key leader engagement with local partners in support of ongoing counter-ISIS operations.

A soldier shuts the rear door of a transport vehicle holding multiple flag-draped transfer cases on an airfield.

A U.S. Army member closes the door of a vehicle carrying flag-draped transfer cases during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Dec. 17, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A Pentagon official told Fox News Digital the attack occurred in an area outside the control of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and that initial assessments indicate it was likely carried out by ISIS.

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Sakat is survived by his wife, Manahel Daau, and their children: Zeena, Leena, Dina, and Farah.

Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.

US civilian interpreter killed in Syria identified as devoted father of four