US-led coalition announces death of second soldier in 2018
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The US-led international coalition on Thursday announced the death of one of its soldiers in what it described as a “non-combat-related incident.”
“A service member with Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve died Jan. 31 in what appears to be a non-combat-related incident,” the coalition said in an official statement.
“The service member’s name and the circumstances surrounding the death will be released at the discretion of the pertinent national authorities,” the statement continued, adding the incident was under investigation.
A @CJTFOIR service member died Jan. 31 in what appears to be a non-combat-related incident. Name & circumstances will be released at the discretion of the pertinent national authorities. The incident is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/ZnQpTu065C
— OIR Spokesman (@OIRSpox) February 1, 2018
Although the coalition provided no further information, reports on Thursday suggested the soldier was part of “Operation Determined Steel,” a US-led mission targeting the so-called Islamic State (IS) nearly three years ago in both Iraq and Syria.
Since the US-led coalition began its Operation Inherent Resolve campaign in late 2014, 22 service members have lost their lives in combat and non-combat related incidents.
In January, 24-year-old Javion Sullivan was killed in Iraq while supporting the coalition in the Anbar Province. The coalition later described the death as a “non-combat related incident.”
Sullivan was the first US soldier to lose his life this year while supporting anti-IS operations in Iraq.
In August 2017, the US Army announced that two soldiers were killed in operations against the extremist group in northern Iraq.
In May 2016, another soldier was killed near Mosul during an offensive against IS.
The majority of US forces operate within heavily fortified and guarded bases where they collect and share intelligence with Iraqi forces and provide logistical support.