Defense officials reveal identity of US troops killed in Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Two American soldiers who were killed on Sunday when an artillery round meant to be fired at an Islamic State (IS) target exploded prematurely have been named by defense officials.

The two soldiers were identified as 22-year-old Sgt. Allen L. Stigler Jr. and 30-year-old Sgt. Roshain E. Brooks of the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers.

Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said the two troops, and five others injured in the explosion, were evacuated by helicopter from an undisclosed base in Iraq.

Manning told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday he expected the other five soldiers “to survive their wounds.”

“Our best wishes are with the families of the two soldiers who died and their fellow service members,” he said.

The artillery crew was firing an M777 howitzer, a towed 155 mm artillery piece, at an IS position when the fatal accident occurred somewhere in northern Iraq, Manning informed. Some reports suggest the incident happened within the borders of the Kurdistan Region. 

The Pentagon official rejected reports by the extremist group who claimed they were responsible for the deaths of the soldiers.

“There is no indication at all that [IS] had anything to do with” the incident, he said adding an investigation was underway.

The defense official also mentioned the families of the fallen soldiers had been notified of their deaths on Monday afternoon.

A defense department statement revealed both men were later “awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Badge.”

Sunday’s accident took the number of US troops killed supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in 2017 to nine, including noncombat deaths.

According to Pentagon data, nearly 50 Americans have been wounded since the anti-IS operation began in August 2014.

US officials have underlined they will continue to provide training and military advice to Iraqi security forces as they fight to defeat the militant group.

Editing by G.H. Renaud