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Two US service members killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash: US military
Two US service members were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the US military said in a statement.
“The cause of the crash is under investigation, however preliminary reports do not indicate it was caused by enemy fire,” the statement said.
It added further that in accordance with the U.S. Department of Defense policy, the names of the service members killed in action are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.
The Taliban claimed they had shot the helicopter down in Charkh district of Logar province at 1:00 am.
“The Americans wanted to raid a mujahideen base, but their helicopter was shot down and caught fire. All on board were killed,” their main spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said.
Roughly 13,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan, 18 years after Washington invaded in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
US President Donald Trump has been eager to withdraw, but General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told US media this month that American forces are likely to remain “for several more years.”
More than 2,500 Afghan civilians have been killed in the fighting so far this year, the United Nations says.
