A U.S. military operation Thursday in Iraq killed at least 15 Islamic State militant group fighters, and at least six U.S. soldiers suffered injuries, three U.S. defense officials said.
None of the injures to the U.S. soldiers were described as life-threatening. Several were possible traumatic brain injuries, and at least one soldier suffered external injuries, the defense officials said.
The operation took place Thursday in Anbar in western Iraq, the officials said. Some of the dead ISIS figures were in leadership.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement Friday night the partnered raid with Iraqi security forces took place in early Thursday.
The ISIS operatives were “armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts,” the command, abbreviated as CENTCOM, said.
“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,” it said.
There was no indication of any civilian casualties, CENTCOM said in the statement.
“Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided,” it said.
Courtney Kube
Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.
Phil Helsel
