The Pentagon will not publicly release information about U.S. troops wounded by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, claiming such disclosures could help the enemy.
The announcement marks a shift from just three weeks ago when military officials confirmed that two service members were wounded by ISIS—one in Iraq and one in Syria, the Military Times reported Wednesday.
Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook has refused to confirm reports that four U.S. military advisers were injured in Syria June 9.
CNN first reported the incident Monday, citing defense officials who said the Americans suffered light shrapnel injuries after an anti-tank round blew up a vehicle situated close to the troops. They have since returned to duty.
Cook again sidestepped questions about the attack Tuesday, citing security concerns.
"We do not want to give [enemies] any better picture of the battle space," Pentagon spokesman Cook told reporters. "This is information that we think the enemy could use to its advantage."
Obama administration policy maintains that ground troops in Iraq and Syria are there to advise, train, and assist local forces to drive ISIS out of the region. Official policy states that the troops do not engage in combat roles.
Each week the Pentagon releases aggregate data about casualties in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, though Pentagon officials concede the data could be incomplete.
The most recent report released June 21 showed that 16 service members have been wounded in the fight against ISIS. The number did not account for the four troops injured June 9.