WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. and British Departments of Defense on Saturday released names of the two soldiers killed in a bomb attack on Thursday in Syria.
The Pentagon said in an announcement that the soldier, who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, is Master Sgt. Johnathan J. Dunbar, 36, of Austin, the state of Texas.
Dunbar died on Friday in Manbij, that is not far from the Syrian border with Turkey, "as a result of injuries when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his patrol," the Pentagon said.
It added that the incident is under investigation.
Also on Saturday, the British Ministry of Defense confirmed that Sergeant Matt Tonroe from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was also killed in the Syria action "whilst on duty in the Middle East on the 29th March 2018."
The U.S. military said on Friday that two personnel of the U.S.-led coalition were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Syria. Five others were wounded in the attack that occurred on Thursday night.
Turkey has threatened to expand its military operation in Syria to Manbij, where 2,000 American troops are stationed. The town has seen a number of small explosions in recent weeks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that his country would "be coming out of Syria like very soon."
However, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White told reporters later that "important work remains to guarantee the lasting defeat of these violent extremists" in the Arab country.
