US Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Officials Investigating Unusual Incident

Pentagon officials confirm to CBN News two American soldiers, Sgt. Roshain Euvince Brooks, 30, of Brooklyn, New York and Spc. Allen Levi Stigler Jr., 22, of Arlington, Texas, were killed during "combat operations" in northern Iraq on Sunday.

However, their deaths indicate they were not caused by "enemy contact." 

A brief statement from the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group said five other soldiers were injured in the incident. The statement did not provide any further detail, except to say that the casualties were being investigated.  

In a Monday morning briefing, Pentagon officials said, "It's under investigation. Our hearts go out to the families of the two soldiers." 

A statement released by the Islamic State on Sunday, apparently referring to the same incident, said it had carried out a rocket attack on U.S. positions east of the Iraqi city of Tal Afar. It claimed the terror group killed four American soldiers and injured six. 

Col. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and Syria, called the Islamic State claim "false" and said the casualties on Sunday were "not because of enemy fire." 

An Iraqi military statement issued Monday said the soldiers had been performing a routine inspection of a cannon when a shell inside exploded and that the deaths were not combat-related.