A U.S. soldier died on Saturday outside of Mosul fighting ISIS — the third American casualty this week, as coalition forces continued their fight against the terrorist organization.
The name of the soldier killed today was not released as per protocol until his next of kin are notified. He was killed as a result of an IED outside of Mosul, Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command.
Central Command also reported on Saturday the fight against ISIS continues with strikes against targets.
“On April 28, Coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes consisting of 54 engagements against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, Coalition military forces conducted 24 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets,” Central Command reported on Saturday.
The strikes are a part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
ISIS oil storage tanks were destroyed near Abu Kamal. Twenty-one ISIS boats were destroyed near Dayr Az Zawr, as well as three barges, two well heads and an ISIS oil storage tank and an explosive cache. Other ISIS targets in Syria were also struck and destroyed.
Four cities in Iraq were also targeted. “Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 24 engagements against ISIS targets,” according to Central Command.
The names of two other soldiers killed this week during the fight against ISIS in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel were released on Friday, and more on the two men has been reported in the local media.
Sergeant Joshua P. Rodgers, 22, of Bloomington, Ill., and Sergeant Cameron H. Thomas, 23, of Kettering, Ohio, both died April 27 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, as a result of small arms fire. Both were from the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from Fort Benning, Ga.
Thomas was remembered as one who always had a smile on his face, and remembered by his high school teachers as a joy to have in class, according to local WCPO. Flags will be flown at half-staff starting on Monday in honor of Thomas.
Rodgers’ uncle, Joe Rodgers of Tennessee, said his nephew enlisted in the Army right after high school and set his sights on becoming a Ranger, he told Pantagraph.com.
“He wanted to be at the highest level he could accomplish,” said his uncle. “As a young kid, like any other kid, he was into sports — soccer to baseball to football.” Rodgers also liked to read, particularly history books, his uncle recalled.
The family has set up a fundraising site to aid the family in the aftermath of their son’s death, according to local WJBC.
Rodgers and Thomas could have potentially died as a result of friendly fire and an investigation is underway.