The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State announced on Sunday that two U.S. troops were killed and five others were injured while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq.
“Initial reports indicate the incident was not due to enemy contact. The incident is under investigation,” the Coalition said in statement.
ISIS reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident that occurred east of Tal-Afar.
There was no official information available on what exactly lead to the death of the troops.
Coalition Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend expressed condolences to the families and friends of the service members.
“There are no words to describe the respect I have for you and sorrow I have for your loss. I hope there is some small solace in knowing their loss has meaning for our country and all the nations of the Coalition as the fallen service members were fighting to defeat a truly evil enemy and to protect our homelands,” he said.
The total number of U.S. citizens who died in 2017 supporting anti-ISIS operations has grown to nine.