A former Navy SEAL commander now serving in Congress is demanding answers about a U.S. soldier’s death in Marjah this week following whispers that backup support was delayed as a result of Obama administration rules of engagement.
The Hill reported that Rep. Ryan Zinke (R., Mont.) is asking for a formal briefing from the Pentagon on the attack in the Marjah area of the Helmand province in Afghanistan Tuesday that resulted in the death of Special Forces Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock. Two other U.S. soldiers and multiple Afghan forces were also injured in the attack, which occurred during a joint counterterrorism operation to drive the Taliban from the area of southern Afghanistan.
According to Zinke, sources have said that backup support for the Special Operations Forces was delayed because of bureaucratic hurdles and the Obama administration’s strict rules of engagement. Zinke is also considering asking for an investigation into the circumstances in Marjah.
"I’ve commanded some of the finest special forces our nation has seen, and to think that these guys were abandoned by Washington while they were under fire is unthinkable and frankly against everything the U.S. military stands for," Zinke said.
"If there was a decision to delay the QRF [quick reaction force] or call off air strikes on enemy combatants after the ground commanders ordered it, that is a clear dereliction of duty. I will be getting to the bottom of this. Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock, his family and his unit deserve for the truth to be out there, and we need to make sure this does not happen again," the Montana lawmaker further stated.
The Pentagon identified McClintock late Wednesday as the soldier who was killed in the attack in Marjah. McClintock and his team of Green Berets came under enemy fire Tuesday and he died of his wounds. Two U.S. medevac helicopters were sent to recover the casualties, but one turned back after coming under fire and the other struck a wall during landing.
Fighting continued in the immediate surroundings of the attack in Marjah for some time, and it took hours for the casualties to be evacuated.
A spokesman for the Taliban said Tuesday that the group brought down a U.S. helicopter in the Helmand province.