{"id":34487,"date":"2019-11-26T17:20:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-26T17:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/11\/26\/centcom-says-fallen-raider-was-killed-by-enemy-fire-not-friendly-forces\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:03:16","slug":"centcom-says-fallen-raider-was-killed-by-enemy-fire-not-friendly-forces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/11\/26\/centcom-says-fallen-raider-was-killed-by-enemy-fire-not-friendly-forces\/","title":{"rendered":"Fallen Raider was killed by enemy fire, not friendly forces, CENTCOM says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The death of a Marine Raider <\/a>in Iraq was the result of enemy actions during a combat operation, not friendly fire, according to officials with Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Aug. 10 death of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Scott A. Koppenhafer the Pentagon announced that the Marine Raider<\/a> was killed by enemy fire during a firefight near Qanus Island, Iraq. But the Defense Department began walking back that statement soon after it was released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An updated press release simply stated the American commando died \u201cafter suffering fatal wounds while supporting Iraqi Security Forces.\u201d Military officials also launched an investigation to determine whether friendly fire played a role in the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A U.S. military contractor was also killed in the firefight, and another U.S. service member and two members of the Mosul SWAT force were wounded in the attack, OIR said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no evidence that suggests Iraqi Partner Forces engaged U.S. or Coalition forces on this operation,” officials with Operation Inherent Resolve told Marine Corps Times in an emailed statement Tuesday. “The deaths and injuries were incurred in the line of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t