TAMPA, Fla. — Three U.S. service members were killed in action during Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command said in a statement posted on its official X platform.
CENTCOM reported that five additional U.S. personnel were seriously wounded. The command also said several others suffered minor injuries, including shrapnel wounds and concussions. Those service members are being evaluated and are expected to return to duty, CENTCOM added.
The U.S. military did not disclose where the incident occurred or provide details about how the casualties happened, citing an ongoing operation and sensitivity for affected families. CENTCOM said major combat operations connected to Operation Epic Fury remain ongoing and described the situation as fluid.
CENTCOM Update After 3 U.S. Troops Killed in Operation Epic Fury
In its statement, CENTCOM said it will not release the identities of the deceased until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified. The command said additional details would be withheld “out of respect for the families.”
CENTCOM did not identify the opposing forces involved or outline the scope of the engagement that led to the deaths and injuries. The command also did not say whether the wounded were being treated locally, transported to medical facilities elsewhere, or medically evacuated out of the area of operations.
No official timeline was provided for when more information may be released. CENTCOM indicated that updates would follow when appropriate as the operation continues.
Operation Epic Fury has not been publicly detailed by U.S. officials in the statement, and the command did not outline the mission’s broader objectives, participating units, or the geographic theater associated with the operation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released by U.S. Central Command and the Department of Defense.
