5 US troops wounded, 2 injured during raid in Iraq involving “suicide belts”

A Qwat al-Khasah (QK) soldier practices maneuvering in low-light at Taji Military Complex,
Iraq, Dec. 28, 2019. The QK is the Iraqi Ministry of Defence’s elite fighting force that specializes in raids, seizing, clearing and holding terrain for limited durations and conducting reconnaissance, counter-insurgency or counter terrorism operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alec Dionne)

Early reports about an operation that took place in Iraq are conflicting, but the latest ABC report claims at least seven US service members were injured.

On Friday, CENTCOM issued a statement about the raid that occurred in Western Iraq, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” they said.

CENTCOM did not specify what US special operation forces were involved but said it was a joint operation with Iraqi Security Forces.

“The ISIS element was armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive “suicide” belts,” according to the statement. “There is no indication of civilian casualties.”

NBC reported at least six U.S. personnel were hurt but a later ABC report stated at least seven were wounded and/or injured during the operation.

The injuries of the service members vary in severity but only one had to be evacuated out of the country.

Two of the injuries were from “falls during the operation,” according to a defense official.

All of the service members were reported to be in stable condition as of 11 p.m. EST.

The joint raid targeted ISIS leaders and resulted “in the death of 15 ISIS operatives,” CENTCOM said.

In January three U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan and more than 40 other service members were injured following an uncrewed aerial system attack at a military base near the Syrian border.

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve has been targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria since 2014.

On August 5th, Major General Kevin Leahy, an Army Special Forces Officer, assumed command of the Operation.

Before taking command, he was in charge of the United States Special Operations Command – Central (MacDill Air Force Base, Florida).

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