U.S. Army special forces soldiers die in ambush in Niger

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Four U.S. Army special forces soldiers and four Niger troops were killed in an ambush in Niger this week, according to U.S. authorities.

The U.S. Army believes that ISIS-affiliated fighters ambushed a joint U.S.-Niger patrol about 120 miles north of Niamey, Niger's capital, as the troops were leaving a meeting with tribal leaders on October 4.

The military identified three of the American soldiers as Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, all assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The identity of the fourth U.S. soldier who died has not yet been released. He was missing for two days after the attack, but Niger forces found his body Friday.

The American Green Berets are in Niger to help train the local armed forces in the fight against extremist militants.

With the Associated Press

Release from United States Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs