MAKHMUR , Iraq, March 19 (UPI) — An American Marine who was part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State was killed in Iraq when an enemy rocket struck a base in the town of Makhmur.
The soldier, who was not identified, was on security duty at the base located where the U.S. conducts advise-and-assist activities, officials said. Three other troops were injured in the incident but the severity of the injuries is unknown.
USA Today reported a second rocket also hit the base, but it didn’t cause any damage or casualties.
“[Combined Joint Task Force] extends our condolences to the family and loved ones of the Coalition service member killed in northern Iraq earlier today,” Col. Christopher Garver, a spokesman for the task force, said Saturday on Twitter.
This death represents the first U.S. service member to be killed since Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler was killed by small arms fire while supporting an attempt to free 70 hostages held by the Islamic state in October.
