The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth , has reportedly dismissed Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a high-ranking army strategist serving on the Pentagon’s joint staff, following allegations that he disclosed classified information to the public.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it had referred an alleged information leak case for criminal investigation, maintaining that the removal of the senior general was essential “to protect sensitive information”, the Washington Post reported.

Sylvia had served as the director for strategy, plans and policy on the joint staff.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged the dismissal in a statement on social media, though he did not mention Sylvia by name.

“Following an extensive Air Force OSI investigation, the Department took necessary personnel action to protect sensitive information,” Parnell wrote.…