US President Donald Trump has signed a memo reinstating a ban on transgender people serving in the military, which was lifted under Barack Obama, BBC reports.
The memo also halts the use of government funds for sex-reassignment surgery for active personnel.
The ban, justified on grounds of cost and disruption, faces a legal challenge by transgender rights activists. Between 4,000 and 10,000 US active-duty and reserve service members are believed to be transgender.