The Ministry of Defence has named the soldier killed in action in Syria on Thursday as 33-year-old Sergeant Matt Tonroe from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment
The Ministry of Defence has named the soldier killed in action in Syria on Thursday as 33-year-old Sergeant Matt Tonroe from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.
The soldier was taking part in an anti-Islamic state operation when the blast occurred on Thursday, a spokesman aid.
‘It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Sergeant Matt Tonroe from the 3st Battalion the Parachute Regiment was tragically killed in action whilst on duty in the Middle East on March 29, 2018.
‘Sergeant Tonroe was born in Manchester on the 14th of August 1984. He enlisted in the Army on the 27th September 2004. On completion of his initial training he joined the 3rd Battalion of The Parachute Regiment in Colchester where he served as part of the Sniper Platoon.
‘He rapidly developed an array of competencies and combat experiences that were to lay the foundations of an outstanding career.
‘During his service, Matt deployed numerous times on operations to Afghanistan and the Middle East. His distinguished service reflected a man that was happiest when professionally tested on operations. He relished responsibility, the opportunity to contribute and when the time came, to lead. He was a natural in this role.
‘Matt was also a capable and respected parachutist. As a gifted instructor he was free with his time and his advice, and would dedicate himself to support and develop this skill in others.
A convoy of U.S. armoured vehicles drives near the village of Yalanli, on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij
‘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.
‘Matt was very much a family man, making every effort to see his beloved mum around numerous overseas deployments. He is survived by his mother Michelle, his brother Alex and girlfriend Olivia.’
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Matt Tonroe at this dreadful time.
‘Sergeant Tonroe served his country with great distinction and it is clear from the tributes made by his colleagues that he was not only exceptionally dedicated and courageous but also a gifted and intelligent instructor who was respected by everyone he served with.
‘Sergeant Tonroe fought to protect British values, our freedoms and to keep us back at home safe. His sacrifice, unflinching commitment and bravery will never be forgotten.’
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Sgt Tonroe’s Officer Commanding said: ‘If you had met Matt Tonroe, then you would have liked him. He bristled with the contentment of a life lived to its full.
‘His bravery and talent as a solider was matched by his compassion as a human being. He was an individual, with the courage to set his own course, and the perspective to see new possibilities at every turn.
‘He was destined for great things in our unit; his leadership was both natural and apparently effortless.
‘He is already missed. Without Matt, our company has lost some of its humour; some of its warmth; and some of its sheer opportunism. We will always remember him.’
Sgt Tonroe’s Commanding Officer said: ‘Matt Tonroe was a deeply intelligent man and one of life’s characters. He was a caring and considerate soul, a loving and dutiful son, and a friend to many.
‘Yet he had a steel core, served his country with pride and was a first class soldier, proven in combat, faced risk willingly and was ever ready for more. He thus died as he lived: daring and fearless in duty. We mourn his loss dearly, are proud to have known him and will honour him by continuing this fight.’
America has more than 2,000 military personnel in eastern Syria, working with local militia groups to defeat IS while trying to keep out of Syria’s broader civil war.
An American was also killed in the incident in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, which wounded five others. They are the first coalition service members to die in Syria this year.
The improvised explosive went off around midnight (2100 GMT), a coalition statement said.
Since 2014 the coalition has provided weapons, training and other support to forces fighting ISIS jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
ISIS remains active in the Euphrates Basin area of northern Syria, as well as pockets further to the south.
Special forces units are known to be operating on the ground in Syria to secure areas retaken from ISIS – but officials have refused to comment on their activities or their existence.
This latest incident brings the number of US personnel killed in action during the operation to 14.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Manbij is a Arab-Kurdish mixed town close to the border with Turkey which is at risk of falling to the Turkish invasion of northern Syria.
It is located between the northern city of Aleppo and the western bank of the Euphrates, less than 18 miles south of the border.
Manbij lies where several international influence zones meet and risks becoming a new flashpoint, experts say.
An MOD spokesman told MailOnline: ‘It is with regret that we must confirm that a member of the UK Armed Forces was killed by an improvised explosive device in Syria yesterday.
‘The individual was embedded with US forces on a counter-Daesh operation when the incident occurred.
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‘The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
US military spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon said: ‘There is an investigation under way to identify who [the attackers] could possibly be.
‘We have our initial assessment and thoughts on that but we won’t provide until the investigation is complete.’
President Donald Trump said in a speech in Ohio on Thursday that the US would be coming out of Syria ‘very soon’.
America has more than 2,000 military personnel in eastern Syria, working with local militia groups to defeat IS while trying to keep out of Syria’s broader civil war.
But while the President wants to earn plaudits at home by pledging a withdrawal, senior officers at the United States Central Command (Centcom) – in charge of the fight against Isis – are determined to remain in Syria and Iraq until the group is decisively beaten.