Three U.S. Service Members, One Contractor Killed in Afghanistan in IED Attack

Julio Rosas | April 08, 2019 8:15 PM

Update: The contractor has reportedly been found alive.

UPDATE: Contractor previously thought killed in Taliban suicide car bombing in Afghanistan Monday found alive: U.S. officials
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) April 9, 2019

Original Post

Resolute Support, the NATO mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces, announced on Monday three U.S. service members and one contractor were killed by an improvised explosive device.

Three U.S. service members were also wounded by in IED attack that took place near Bagram Air Base. The wounded were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment.

The identities of those that were killed are being withheld for 24 hours to ensure next of kin has been notified.

The Military Times reports the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The terror group used a suicide vehicle-borne IED.

Monday’s deaths bring the total amount of U.S. military members killed by serving in Afghanistan to seven so far this year: Sgt. Cameron Meddock, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Beale, Specialist Joseph Collette, and Sgt. 1st Class Will Lindsay.

There are currently around 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan. Last year, President Donald Trump considered completely withdrawing from Syria and cutting the number of troops in Afghanistan by half.

Then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis opposed the idea which ultimately led to him submitting his letter of resignation and subsequently forced out by Trump at the beginning of 2019.