IS kills US Navy SEAL

(Baonghean.vn) - The self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) killed an American soldier on May 3 in northern Iraq after breaking through the defenses of Kurdish rebels and capturing a town in the largest offensive in the region.

Kurdish soldiers during a military exercise with the United States and allied countries.

According to a senior Kurdish rebel officer, the man was killed near the town of Tel Asqof, about 28km from Mosul. The town was captured by IS in the early morning but was retaken by Kurdish rebels with the support of the US air force by the end of the day.

The serviceman is the third American killed in a direct attack since the United States and its allies became more deeply involved in the conflict by conducting a campaign to “degrade and destroy” IS in 2014.

A Defense Department official said the deceased was an officer with the U.S. Navy Special Forces, the most elite force in the U.S. military, used for dangerous missions.

US soldiers at Basmaya base, southeast of Baghdad.

Such IS raids are rare in northern Iraq, where Kurdish forces have established defensive positions with support from US airpower.

This time IS used suicide bombers and vehicles laden with explosives to penetrate deep into the area. 25 Islamic State vehicles were destroyed and more than 80 militants were killed in the attack. 10 Kurdish soldiers were also killed.

Thanh Hien

(According to Reuters)