Published:November 25th, 2016 07:56 EST

Ash Carter Offers Condolences for Fallen U.S. Service Member in Syria

Defense Secretary Ash Carter today offered his condolences to the family, friends and other loved ones of a U.S. service member who was killed on Thanksgiving in Syria.

I am deeply saddened by the news on this Thanksgiving Day that one of our brave service members has been killed in Syria while protecting us from the evil of ISIL, " Carter said in a statement issued today. It is a painful reminder of the dangers our men and women in uniform face around the world to keep us safe. "

The secretary added, Please keep this service member`s family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers, and this Thanksgiving I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to all of our dedicated troops who selflessly protect us every day. "

The U.S. service member died from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast in the vicinity of Ayn Issa in northern Syria, according to a Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve news release.

Further information will be released as appropriate, the release said.

The entire counter-ISIL coalition sends our condolences to this hero`s family, friends and teammates, " Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, said in the release. On this Thanksgiving, please be thankful that there are service members willing to take up the fight to protect our homeland from ISIL`s hateful and brutal ideology. "