WASHINGTON — An unidentified American service member died in northern Syria on Wednesday as a result of natural causes, according to U.S. military news release.
No additional details were made available. "Further information will be released as appropriate," the news release states.
This marks the second known loss of an American service member in Syria. It's the first since late November, when 42-year-old Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Cooper Daytonwas killed by an improvised explosive blast near Ayn Issa, north of Raqqa, which the Islamic State considers its capital.
There are about 900 U.S. troops in Syria providing various forms of support to allies leading the ground war against ISIS. Most are special operations forces, though some conventional Marine artillery personnel have arrived in recent weeks as efforts intensify around Raqqa.
To the west, a force of several dozen Army Rangers continues to patrol the city of Manbij. They were sent there in early March to prevent ethic rivals from battling one another.
Andrew deGrandpre is Military Times' senior editor and Pentagon bureau chief. On Twitter: @adegrandpre
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