US, UK soldiers killed in Syria named

Defence officials in the US and UK have identified the two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Syria's Manbij.

2 min read

31 March, 2018

Johnathan Dunbar [US Army] Matt Tonroe [Ministry of Defence]

Master Sgt. Johnathan Dunbar and Sgt. Matt Tonroe [US Army/Ministry of Defence]

Two soldiers, one American and one British, who were killed in a roadside bomb in Syria have been identified.

The UK's Ministry of Defence said British soldier Sgt. Matt Tonroe died as a result of Thursday's explosion in the northern city of Manbij.

US Army Master Sgt. Johnathan Dunbar, 36, of Austin, Texas, died on Friday, a day after the blast, the Pentagon said.

The soldiers were both part of the US-led international coalition fighting against the Islamic State group in Syria.

The bomb attack in Manbij, a city where US personnel is stationed, was carried out late on Thursday. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, in which an improvised explosive device hit a convoy, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Five other people were wounded in the explosion, the coalition said.

Dunbar was assigned to the headquarters of US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the Pentagon said, while Manchester-born Tonroe, 33, was a member of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "He was well known within his unit, well-liked by all and he will be sorely missed.

"When talking of Matt, his colleagues recount his humour, mischief and endless endeavours. Laid back, but a consummate professional, Matt was utterly selfless and always strived to achieve excellence."