Editor’s note: This post has been updated. See below.
Breaking news out of Syira where we’re seeing reports that a suspected ISIS suicide bomber targeted U.S. forces on patrol in the city of Manbij today:
BREAKING: @NBCNews' @RichardEngel reports American forces are among the casualties after an explosion in Manbij, Syria. A senior Kurdish security official tells NBC the forces were on foot in the center of the city when they were approached by a suicide bomber, claimed by ISIS.
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) January 16, 2019
The bombing occurred at a restaurant where coalition forces were meeting:
BREAKING — The explosion in Manbij took place in a restaurant where US, French troops, and YPG militants were meeting, according to TRT World sources
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 16, 2019
Explosion reported near a restaurant in Manbij, #Syria. Unconfirmed reports suggest a US patrol was in the vicinity. pic.twitter.com/LPNLG4riKH
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) January 16, 2019
We’ve seen a number of accounts link to this alleged video of the attack:
Warning! Graphic Video! Alleged video of the suicide attack in #Manbij pic.twitter.com/85MkFOTOpn
— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) January 16, 2019
ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack:
#ISIS-affiliated al-Amaq Agency claims the group is responsible for the attack in #Manbij pic.twitter.com/XORsCwtdZR
— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) January 16, 2019
There is no official word yet on the number of U.S. forces killed or injured, but there were casualties:
Witnesses in Manbij tell @NBCNews that helicopters flew in with soldiers that roped down, without the aircraft landing, to deal with the injured. https://t.co/zJgXjeCiVO
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 16, 2019
Video of the helicopter here:
Coalition helicopter landing near #Manbij blast sight amidst increasingly confirmed reports of US casualties involved. pic.twitter.com/tZDjerBznk
— Riam Dalati (@Dalatrm) January 16, 2019
The president has been briefed on the attack:
NEW: statement by @PressSec on #Syria. pic.twitter.com/tfwsSi0opF
— Fin Gomez (@finnygo) January 16, 2019
Update 1:
U.S. service members were killed during an explosion while conducting a routine patrol in Syria today. We are still gathering information and will share additional details at a later time.
— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) January 16, 2019
Update 2:
U.S. official: four U.S. soldiers dead, three injured in #Manbij Syria blast @Reuters #TwitterKurds https://t.co/b7UwW1ygcA pic.twitter.com/3ETrL88u68
— Mutlu Civiroglu (@mutludc) January 16, 2019
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