SAS sniper with ‘steel core’ who made the ultimate sacrif ice on secret kill mission
HEROISM OF SERGEANT MATT TONROE, FIRST BRITISH SOLDIER KILLED FIGHTING JIHADIS IN SYRIA
THE first British soldier to be killed fighting jihadis in Syria was named last night as Special Air Service sniper Matt Tonroe.
The battle- hardened sergeant from Manchester was killed in the northern city of Manbij on Thursday night while on an undercover mission to kill extremists.
Sgt Tonroe, 33, belonged to the SAS’s B Squadron and had served in British Special Forces units for eight years, according to defence sources. Last night, his commanding officer described him as a first- class soldier with a ‘ steel core’ who had served his country with pride.
Sgt Tonroe, who is survived by his mother Michelle, brother Alex and girlfriend Olivia, was fatally wounded after a vehicle he was travelling in struck a roadside bomb. A US Special Forces soldier – Master Sergeant Jonathan Dunbar, 36, from Austin, Texas – was al s o ki l l ed when t he device exploded near Manbij’s Sheikh Akil cemetery.
The Pentagon confirmed the incident was the subject of a military investigation.
Following the blast Sgt Tonroe, Master Sgt Dunbar and five other seriously injured casualties were carried on to military vehicles and driven to the outskirts of Manbij, where a medical helicopter was waiting to fly them to a US military hospital at a secret location.
While the evacuation was taking place, US Apache helicopter gunships and US fighter jets armed with air-to-ground missiles flew low over where the explosion occurred to deter jihadis from launching follow-up attacks.
Sgt Tonroe was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Master Sgt Dunbar also died from his injuries. The five other casualties, who are all US military personnel, are still receiving treatment.
An SAS source said last night: ‘Matt didn’t stand a chance when the improvised explosive device went off.
‘US troops attempted first aid at the scene and the medical evacuation helicopter arrived very quickly to take him to hospital but his wounds were too bad.’
The Mail on Sunday has been told how other British Special Forces troops have been wounded in separate clashes with jihadis in Manbij in recent weeks – and that Sgt Tonroe and his colleagues had been due to withdraw from the area just days before he was killed. This was not confirmed by the MoD – it does not disclose any details about SAS operations.
SAS sources also revealed last night how the terrorists who planted the bomb could belong to the Free Syrian Army (FSA), an affiliation of militia, including jihadi elements, which is backed by Turkey. If the investigation into the incident concludes this was the case, it could lead to a diplomatic row with Turkey, a Nato member.
A source added: ‘Matt was part of a joint UKUS Special Forces team which was working with local Kurdish troops in a bid to stabilise the city. Manbij was liberated from Islamic State in 2016 but jihadis aligned with the Free Syrian Army are seeking to take over.
The main reason behind the SAS getting out of there is the fear of a proxy conflict between fellow Nato members.’
It was unclear last night what vehicle Sgt Tonroe was travelling in. According to some reports, the UK and US Special Forces operatives were in an unmarked and unprotected white minivan, in an effort to blend in.
However, coalition forces have also been photographed using heavily armoured Humvee and Warthog vehicles in recent days.
Sgt Tonroe was born in Manchester in August 1984 and joined the Parachute Regiment just days after his 20th birthday.
He passed the Paras’ notoriously tough P Company selection course in 2005 and subsequently joined 3rd Battalion (3 Para).
He passed the Household Division and Parachute Regiment sniper course in October 2007 with flying colours. He also served as a sniper in
Helm and province in Afghanistan in 2008 and was praised for his coolness under fire by colleagues. It is understood that his sharpshooting accounted for a number of Taliban deaths.
According to military sources, Sgt Tonroe was t hen promoted and attempted S AS selection, which he is said to have passed first time. He was also a fully trained parachutist.
His commanding officer, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Special Forces who cannot be named for security reasons, said last night: ‘Matt Tonroe was a deeply intelligent man and one of life’s characters.
‘He was a caring and considerate soul, a loving and dutiful son, and a friend to many.
‘ Yet he had a steel core, served his country with pride and was a first-class soldier, proven in combat, faced risk willingly and was ever ready for more.
‘He thus died as he lived: daring
‘Matt didn’t stand a chance when it went off’
and fearless in duty. We mourn his loss dearly, are proud to have known him and will honour him by continuing this fight.’
A Special Forces major added: ‘If you had met Matt Tonroe, then you would have liked him. He bristled with the contentment of a life lived to its full.
‘ His bravery and talent as a soldier was matched by his
‘He was destined for great things in our unit’ He had a steel core and served his country with pride. He died as he lived: daring and fearless in duty SGT TONROE’S COMMANDING OFFICER
compassion as a human being. He was an individual, with the courage to set his own course, and the perspective to see new possibilities at every turn.
‘He was destined for great things in our unit – his leadership was both natural and apparently effortless. He is already missed. Without Matt, our company has lost some of its humour, some of its warmth, and some of its sheer opportunism. We will always remember him.’
The MoD confirmed last night that Sgt Tonroe had deployed on numerous operations to Afghanistan and the Middle East. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson joined senior officers in paying tribute to the deceased soldier, saying: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt Matt Ton- roe at this dreadful time. He served his country with great distinction and it is clear from the tributes made by his colleagues that he was not only exceptionally dedicated and courageous but also a gifted and intelligent instructor who was respected by everyone he served with. Sgt Tonroe fought to protect British values, our freedoms and to keep us back at home safe.
Hi s sacrifice, unflinching commitment and bravery will never be forgotten.’
The Mail on Sunday revealed last year how the SAS has launched a series of devastating aerial assaults behind Islamic State lines, claiming decisive victories over the terrorist group and paving the way for their eventual defeat in Syria.
The top-secret raids captured a strategically vital air base in Syria which British and US Special Forces troops used to launch attacks on the IS stronghold of Raqqa.
The SAS also secured the nearby Tabqa hydro- electric dam in an operation which began with soldiers parachuting from thousands of feet under cover of darkness on a reconnaissance mission deep in enemy territory.