Two U.S. service members died and four others were wounded today when they came under fire during a train, advise and assist mission with Afghan partners to clear a Taliban position and disrupt the group's operations in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, military officials reported.
The service members’ names are being withheld, pending notification of next-of-kin.
“I was deeply saddened to learn overnight that we suffered casualties in Afghanistan,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. “The two service members killed and the four who suffered injuries were with Afghan forces as part of our train, advise and assist mission. Some of our Afghan partners also died.
Helping Afghans to Secure Their Country
“Our service members were doing their part to help the Afghans secure their own country while protecting our homeland from those who would do us harm,” the secretary continued. “On this difficult day, please keep their families, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers. We will honor their sacrifice by finishing our important mission in Afghanistan.”
Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO’s Resolute Support mission, also offered condolences in a statement.
"On behalf of all U.S. Forces Afghanistan, today's loss is heartbreaking, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of our service members who lost their lives today,” the general said. “Our wounded soldiers are receiving the best medical care possible, and we are keeping them and their families in our thoughts today, as well. Despite today's tragic event, we are steadfast in our commitment to help our Afghan partners defend their nation."