CBS News: U.S. Navy SEAL Killed Fighting ISIS In Iraq
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The U.S. Military said an American serviceman helping Kurdish troops in Northern Iraq was killed when militants from the Islamic State Group attacked.
The U.S. military adviser was reportedly at least 2 miles behind the Kurdish front line, but ISIS managed to break through and kill him Tuesday morning, CBS2's Tina Kraus.
"It is a combat death, of course. And a very sad loss," U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said.
The serviceman was a Navy SEAL, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reported.
The conflict was so intense the U.S.-led coalition fired 23 airstrikes with both jet fighters and drones to help Kurdish forces fight back. The battle unfolded near Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, which Islamic State militants control.
The Pentagon vowed U.S. forces would defeat ISIS to honor the death of their comrade.
Tuesday's killing follows the death of a U.S. Marine, who was killed in a rocket attack in the same region in March.
The U.S. has about 5,000 military personnel in Iraq, most serving as military advisers.
Last month, President Barack Obama announced they would be moved closer to the front line to help defeat ISIS.