This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/34607471
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
US-Iraqi rescue operation 'foils IS mass execution' | US-Iraqi rescue operation 'foils IS mass execution' |
(35 minutes later) | |
US-Iraqi forces have rescued dozens of hostages held by Islamic State (IS) in Iraq after learning of their "imminent execution", the Pentagon has said. | US-Iraqi forces have rescued dozens of hostages held by Islamic State (IS) in Iraq after learning of their "imminent execution", the Pentagon has said. |
But a US soldier wounded in the raid died of his injuries - the first killed in action since US operations against IS began last year. | But a US soldier wounded in the raid died of his injuries - the first killed in action since US operations against IS began last year. |
The early morning operation on Thursday took place near the town of Hawija in northern Iraq. | The early morning operation on Thursday took place near the town of Hawija in northern Iraq. |
Five IS militants were captured and a number killed, the Pentagon said. | Five IS militants were captured and a number killed, the Pentagon said. |
About 70 hostages were rescued, a statement said, including 20 members of the Iraqi security forces. The Kurdistan region's security council said none of those freed were Kurds, contradicting initial reports. | |
But a Kurdish source told the BBC only 17 were rescued, all former IS militants. He said the operation's aim was to capture prisoners who had defied orders of their IS leaders. | |
'Tough fight' | |
The raid targeted an IS-held prison near Hawija, in the predominantly Kurdish province of Kirkuk. | The raid targeted an IS-held prison near Hawija, in the predominantly Kurdish province of Kirkuk. |
The US military was involved at the invitation of the Kurdistan regional government, the Pentagon said. | |
American helicopters flew troops to the site, with Kurdish special forces taking the lead but with US ones on the ground. | American helicopters flew troops to the site, with Kurdish special forces taking the lead but with US ones on the ground. |
"This operation was deliberately planned and launched after receiving information that the hostages faced imminent mass execution," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement. | "This operation was deliberately planned and launched after receiving information that the hostages faced imminent mass execution," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement. |
"It was authorised consistent with our counter-ISIL effort to train, advise, and assist Iraqi forces," he added, using an alternative acronym for IS. | "It was authorised consistent with our counter-ISIL effort to train, advise, and assist Iraqi forces," he added, using an alternative acronym for IS. |
The US soldier killed was said to have come under fire from IS militants during the operation. | The US soldier killed was said to have come under fire from IS militants during the operation. |
Gen Lloyd Austin, who heads the US military's Central Command, said "we deeply mourn the loss of one of our own who died while supporting his Iraqi comrades engaged in a tough fight". | Gen Lloyd Austin, who heads the US military's Central Command, said "we deeply mourn the loss of one of our own who died while supporting his Iraqi comrades engaged in a tough fight". |
A US-led coalition has been carrying out daily air strikes on IS positions in Iraq and Syria for more than a year. | A US-led coalition has been carrying out daily air strikes on IS positions in Iraq and Syria for more than a year. |
The raid on the prison in northern Iraq comes amid a fresh push by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to capture territory seized by IS. | The raid on the prison in northern Iraq comes amid a fresh push by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to capture territory seized by IS. |