US-Iraqi rescue operation ‘foils IS mass execution’

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. The early morning operation on […]

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.
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.
The raid targeted an IS-held prison near Hawija, in the predominantly Kurdish province of Kirkuk.
The US military were 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.