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US serviceman killed in Iraq as IS breaches Peshmerga lines US serviceman killed in Iraq as IS breaches Peshmerga lines
(about 1 hour later)
A US serviceman has been killed near the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has said.A US serviceman has been killed near the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has said.
Mr Carter told reporters that the death was the result of enemy fire, but provided no further details.Mr Carter told reporters that the death was the result of enemy fire, but provided no further details.
The US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State said the American had been advising Kurdish Peshmerga troops.The US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State said the American had been advising Kurdish Peshmerga troops.
He was killed about 5km (3 miles) behind the Peshmerga's frontline with IS after militants penetrated it using a convoy of truck bombs, it added.He was killed about 5km (3 miles) behind the Peshmerga's frontline with IS after militants penetrated it using a convoy of truck bombs, it added.
Earlier, there were reports that IS militants had attacked on multiple fronts in northern Iraq overnight.Earlier, there were reports that IS militants had attacked on multiple fronts in northern Iraq overnight.
An Iraqi military source told the BBC that special forces had foiled an attack by five suicide bombers in the village of Khirbirdan, south of the IS-held city of Mosul.An Iraqi military source told the BBC that special forces had foiled an attack by five suicide bombers in the village of Khirbirdan, south of the IS-held city of Mosul.
They also launched a counter-attack with Peshmerga fighters and Christian militiamen to recapture the predominantly Christian town of Tal Asqof, north of Mosul, after it was overrun by militants following a series of suicide car bombings.They also launched a counter-attack with Peshmerga fighters and Christian militiamen to recapture the predominantly Christian town of Tal Asqof, north of Mosul, after it was overrun by militants following a series of suicide car bombings.
A Peshmerga source said an attack on Wardak, east of Mosul, was also repelled.A Peshmerga source said an attack on Wardak, east of Mosul, was also repelled.
Since the US launched a military campaign against IS in Iraq in August 2014, the Peshmerga have driven the group back around Irbil and advanced towards Mosul.Since the US launched a military campaign against IS in Iraq in August 2014, the Peshmerga have driven the group back around Irbil and advanced towards Mosul.
There are more than 5,500 US military personnel in Iraq. Some 3,870 are deployed to advise and assist local forces fighting IS militants. The remainder includes special operations personnel, logistics workers and troops on temporary rotations.There are more than 5,500 US military personnel in Iraq. Some 3,870 are deployed to advise and assist local forces fighting IS militants. The remainder includes special operations personnel, logistics workers and troops on temporary rotations.
Last month, the US announced it planned to send 200 additional advisers to Iraq by the end of the year and deploy them closer to the frontlines so that they could assist in the operation to retake Mosul.Last month, the US announced it planned to send 200 additional advisers to Iraq by the end of the year and deploy them closer to the frontlines so that they could assist in the operation to retake Mosul.
In March, a US Marine was killed in a rocket attack by IS while providing force protection fire support at a coalition firebase near Makhmour, south-west of Mosul, that had only become operational a few days earlier. The US serviceman whose death was announced on Tuesday is the third to have been killed in Iraq as a result of hostile enemy action since IS took control of large swathes of the country two years ago.
Staff Sgt Louis Cardin was the second US serviceman to be killed in Iraq as a result of hostile enemy action since IS took large swathes of the country. In March, Marine Staff Sgt Louis Cardin was killed in a rocket attack by IS while providing force protection fire support at a coalition firebase near Makhmour, south-west of Mosul, that had only become operational a few days earlier.
The first, Army Master Sgt Joshua Wheeler, died in October during a special forces mission to rescue hostages held at an IS prison near Hawija, west of Kirkuk. Army Master Sgt Joshua Wheeler died in October during a special forces mission to rescue hostages held at an IS prison near Hawija, west of Kirkuk.