The US military says two American soldiers have been killed while conducting combat operations in northern Iraq, but not as a result of “enemy contact.”

Central Command said in a statement that five other soldiers were wounded in Sunday’s incident, without providing further details. It did not identify the soldiers.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of US forces battling the ISIS in Iraq, said the coalition “sends our deepest condolences to these heroes’ families, friends and teammates.”

Thousands of US troops are taking part in the war against ISIS in Iraq. They are mainly providing logistical and other support to Iraqi troops, but many operate close to the front lines.

source: Alarabiya