By Arif Yusuf and Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD

Two American soldiers were killed and three others injured in a “non-combat” action in northern Iraq, the Iraqi defense ministry said Monday.

A shell exploded as soldiers were checking ordnance at a military site in al-Ayadiya in northern Iraq, the ministry said in a statement.

On Sunday, the U.S. military said two soldiers had been killed and five others injured while conducting combat operations in Iraq.

The military said “initial reports indicate the incident was not due to enemy contact”.

More than 5,000 U.S. troops are taking part in the war against Daesh terrorist organization in Iraq, according to the Pentagon.

The Iraqi government says the U.S. soldiers were not participating in the anti-Daesh fight, but were only collecting and sharing intelligence with Iraqi forces and providing logistical support.

Last month, Iraqi forces, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, dislodged Daesh from their last stronghold in Mosul in northern Iraq.