Two U.S. soldiers were killed as they accompanied and advised Iraqi security forces during a fierce raid of an ISIS stronghold, drawing criticism from former U.S. special envoy Brett McGurk over the length of time that it took to reclaim the dead.
The deaths of both soldiers prompted the military’s top brass to order a review of how their forces conduct missions in Iraq and Syria following the deaths of the Special Operations service members.
The soldiers were killed by ‘enemy forces’ on a mission to knock out the stronghold Sunday in the mountains of north-central Iraq, according to a statement posted online by the Combined Joint Task Force, which commands Operation Inherent Resolve.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed as they accompanied and advised Iraqi security forces on a raid of an ISIS stronghold, according to the Combined Joint Task Force, which commands Operation Inherent Resolve. US forces are pictured fighting ISIS in an image posted on Twitter
Soldiers in fighting ISIS are seen in an image posted on social media by National Security Correspondent for Voice of America Jeff Seldin. Two service members killed by ‘enemy forces’ Sunday were trying to knock out a stronghold in the mountains of north-central Iraq
US soldiers fighting the terrorist group known as Isis in Iraq are seen in an image posted on Twitter by National Security Correspondent for Voice of America Jeff Seldin. Two service members killed during a raid Sunday were not identified pending notification of next of kin
The unnamed soldiers who were killed had been part of a Marine Special Operations team that was working with Iraqi counterterrorism forces, reports the New York Times.
They had gotten in a fierce gun battle while clearing a well-defended cave complex in mountains near the town of Makhmur, which is about 40 miles southwest of Erbil, the Times reports.
One military official said the solders killed had to be pulled out with a hoist after falling into a crevice. A military spokesman confirmed additional forces were deployed to bring out the dead, which took almost six hours.
McGurck responded to the length of time in a tweet by saying ‘Something is not right.’
‘We seem to have lost focus on the mission while increasing risks to our people and depleting their resources for no good reason,’ he explained.
‘RIP Marines,’ added McGurck, who resigned in protest as envoy to the global coalition fighting ISIS after President Donald Trump announced he was removing US troops from Syria and declared victory over the terrorist group.
Former U.S. special envoy Brett McGurk tweeted criticism over the length of time that it took to reclaim the dead
McGurk had resigned in protest as envoy to the global coalition fighting ISIS after President Donald Trump announced he was removing US troops from Syria and declared victory over the terrorist group
The review that was ordered in the wake of the soldier deaths will examine how U.S. military forces advise and accompany local troops.
During the review, American military operations will continue, they said.
About 5,200 American troops are currently stationed in Iraq to assist Iraqi security forces as they fight the Islamic state militant group, the Associated Press reports.
The US service members are on hand to provide the security forces training as they go after ISIS.
The shield of the Combined Joint Task Force, which commands Operation Inherent Resolve
About 5,200 American troops are currently stationed in Iraq to assist Iraqi security forces as they fight the Islamic state militant group. A convoy of U.S. military vehicles is seen after withdrawing from northern Syria, in Erbil, Iraq
There was no immediate comment from Iraqi officials about the raid.
The last hostile military death in support of Operation Inherent Resolve was on Aug. 10, when a Marine Raider, Gunnery Sgt. Scott Koppenhafer, was killed.
The 35-year-old from Mancos, Colorado, was serving as a critical skills operator with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion when he was killed in Nineveh province, northern Iraq.
In a statement released at the time, the Pentagon said Koppenhafer died after being engaged by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations.
Koppenhafer’s death was later investigated as a possible friendly fire incident; but ultimately, Defense Department officials said no evidence was found to support that possibility, Military.com reports.
The deceased service member is survived by his wife and two children.