2 US soldiers killed in Iraq, military says

BAGHDAD: TWO AMERICAN soldiers have been killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq, the United States military said yesterday, adding that “initial reports indicate the incident was not due to enemy contact”.

Five other soldiers were wounded, it said in a statement, without providing further details. It did not identify the soldiers.

Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, the commander of US forces battling the Islamic State group in Iraq, said the coalition “sends our deepest condolences to these heroes’ families, friends and teammates”.

More than 5,000 US troops are taking part in the war against IS in Iraq, according the Pentagon. The vast majority operate within heavily guarded bases, collecting and sharing intelligence with Iraqi forces and providing logistical support.

But as the fight has evolved over the past three years, more and more US troops are operating close to the front lines. In addition to the two troops killed Sunday, five other US troops have been killed in Iraq in the fight against IS, including two in the battle to retake the northern city of Mosul.

More than 1,200 Iraqi forces were killed in the battle for Mosul and more than 6,000 wounded, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said earlier this month.

Iraq’s prime minister declared victory against IS in Mosul in July and Iraqi forces are now preparing to retake the IS-held town of Tel Afar to the west.