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Tragedy struck in northern Iraq as a U.S. service member lost their life on Saturday amid a delicate operation involving the “controlled detonation” of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed Sunday.
Meanwhile, a fellow service member sustained what has been described by Centcom as a “minor” injury and is currently receiving medical attention. The incident underscores the persistent hazards that military personnel face in volatile regions.
The announcement marks the 17th death of a U.S. service member since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28. It comes a day after Centcom said that two U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan on Friday.
The Friday attack in Jordan left one U.S. service member missing.
Centcom said on Sunday that after a “thorough” search, U.S. military personnel found “unidentified remains at the location” earlier today, adding that an “examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”
In retaliation for the service members killed in Jordan, the U.S. military launched another wave of airstrikes, targeting Iran’s military coastal surveillance, air defense facilities, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage sites.
The U.S. military has widened its attacks on Iran in recent days, striking energy infrastructure, port facilities, bridges and other targets, as both sides inch closer to an all-out war.
Iran has retaliated with strikes against Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, all countries where the U.S. has substantial military presence. Iran has struck oil facility and power and water treatment plants in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti military said Sunday its air defense systems are working on intercepting Iranian missiles and one-way attack drones.