Washington (CNN)ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion that killed four Americans -- two US service members, a defense contractor and a Department of Defense civilian -- in the Syrian city of Manbij on Wednesday, according to the US military.
All four US personnel that were killed were Americans, according to Commander Sean Robertson, a spokesman for the Pentagon.
The civilian was an intelligence expert who was with the troops hoping to collect information about security and adversaries in the area, according to three US officials.
"Two US service members, one Department of Defense (DoD)civilian and one contractor supporting DoD were killed and three service members were injured while conducting a local engagement in Manbij, Syria," US Central Command said in a statement.
"Initial reports indicate an explosion caused the casualties, and the incident is under investigation," the statement said.
Prior to Wednesday's attack, only two US service members had been killed in action in Syria since the start of the campaign in 2014.
The US-led coalition confirmed earlier Wednesday that US service members were killed in the attack, but did not provide details regarding the number of casualties at the time and said the service members were "conducting a routine patrol" at the time of the explosion.
"U.S. service members were killed during an explosion while conducting a routine patrol in Syria today. We are still gathering information and will share additional details at a later time," a tweet from Operation Inherent Resolve's spokesperson said.
The names of the two US service members will be withheld for 24 hours until next of kin is notified in accordance with DOD policy, according to CENTCOM's statement.
There were several reported casualties in the city a militia controlling the city and a UK-based monitoring group said.
The ISIS-affiliated Amaq agency said the attack in the northern city of Manbij was carried out by a suicide bomber with an explosive vest.
"An explosion in Manbij's busy market street, initial reports of casualties," spokesman of the Manbij military council Shervan Darwish wrote on Twitter.
ISIS didn't provide any proof it was responsible for the attack.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 19 people were killed.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and issued a statement on the attack later Wednesday.
"Our deepest sympathies and love go out to the families of the brave American heroes who were killed today in Syria. We also pray for the soldiers who were wounded in the attack. Our service members and their families have all sacrificed so much for our country," it said.
Vice President Mike Pence has also been briefed, according to a tweet from his press secretary.
However, Pence made no mention of the attack or the deaths of US service members while making remarks at the Global Chiefs of Mission conference at the US State Department Wednesday, claiming "The caliphate has crumbled, and ISIS has been defeated."
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