US serviceman killed fighting IS in Iraq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A US serviceman was killed on Tuesday in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremists near Mosul, northern Iraq.
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter reported at a press conference in Germany while accompanied by the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
Carter did not reveal further detail on the killed soldier. He called the incident “a combat death."
The US Central Command released a statement regarding the death of a Coalition serviceman in the fight against IS, saying that “On May 3, 2016, a Coalition service member was killed in northern Iraq as a result of enemy fire.”
The statement gave no biographical information about the service member who lost his life.
According to the Navy Times, The US Navy SEAL was killed around 9.30am local time when he was fired at.
”A Coalition service member was killed in northern Iraq as a result of enemy fire. Further information will be released as appropriate," said a spokesperson for US Central Command (Centcom).
IS announced an attack against the Peshmerga from its stronghold of Mosul, around 50 miles from Erbil.
It was after this announcement that the death of the American serviceman was reported.
On Tuesday, Islamic State (IS) extremists launched a multi-pronged attack on the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces near Mosul, northern Iraq.
Peshmerga forces effectively repelled the IS attacks on all of the frontlines. While in Telskuf, where the Coalition troops were advising Peshmerga forces on the ground, IS extremists were able to breach Peshmerga frontlines and enter the town.
Local media sources say that the US soldier was killed in Tuesday’s clashes between Peshmerga forces and IS extremists in Telskuf northern Mosul.
Masrour Barzani, Chancellor of the KRSC, said in a Tweet, “My heartfelt condolences are with the families of our fallen Peshmerga and the brave UU serviceman martyred earlier today.”
Reporting by Hisham Arafat and Baxtiyar Goran
Editing by Ava Homa