News Digest

Dramatic video released of ‘hostages being freed from Islamic State prison’

Dramatic footage has been released appearing to show hostages being freed from an Islamic State compound - in a raid where a U.S. commando was killed. Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler was the first American soldier to die in ground combat operations against IS militants. In the helmet-cam footage released by the Kurdistan Region Security Council, dozens of hostages can be seen being rescued by Kurdish Peshmerga and U.S. forces from the prison. Some hostages had blood on their clothing, and were walking and running in single file as soldiers beckoned them through rooms in the raid in northern Iraq.

We commend and congratulate the brave individuals who participated in this successful operation that saved many lives, and we deeply mourn the loss of one of our own who died while supporting his Iraqi comrades engaged in a tough fight.

U.S. commander General Lloyd Austin

Sixty-nine detainees were rescued in Thursday’s operation and gunfire could be heard as they escaped. They included around 20 members of the Iraqi security forces as well as local residents and IS fighters that the militant group had accused of spying or treason, said U.S. and Kurdish officials. It was the first time U.S. troops were involved in direct ground combat in Iraq since the offensive against IS was launched in August 2014. Defence Secretary Ash Carter said he had ordered the rescue after intelligence showed executions were imminent, including evidence that a grave had been dug for the bodies. Master Sgt Wheeler, 39, was a hero who ran into the fight to defend their Kurdish allies, according to the Pentagon.