Two US soldiers killed in anti-IS operation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The US army on Sunday announced two soldiers were killed and five others injured in operations against the Islamic State (IS) in northern Iraq.

The death of the US troops was not a result of "enemy contact,” the Associated Press reported.

In a statement, Central Command confirmed two soldiers were killed, and five other soldiers were wounded in the incident, without providing any further details.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the commander of US forces battling the militant group in Iraq, expressed his regret at the death of the troops.

The US-led coalition “sends our deepest condolences to these heroes’ families, friends, and teammates,” Lt. Gen. Townsend said.

Over 5,000 US troops are currently involved in the war against IS in Iraq, according to statistics provided by the Pentagon.

The majority of US forces “operate within heavily guarded bases, collecting and sharing intelligence with Iraqi forces and providing logistical support,” AP reported.

As the fight against the extremist group continues, more US soldiers are working closer to the front lines.

In addition to the two troops killed on Sunday, five other US forces have been killed in Iraq fighting IS, including two during the battle to liberate Mosul.

Earlier this month, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said over 1,200 Iraqi forces were killed in the Mosul operation while 6,000 others were wounded.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced victory in Mosul in early July after a nine-month long campaign against the militant group.

Iraqi forces have now surrounded Tal Afar, located west of Mosul, as they prepare to advance and free the city from IS control.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany