IED KILLS American Service Member Near Mosul

The Pentagon is confirming an IED explosive device mortally wounded a U.S. service member outside Mosul.

Further details were not immediately available. The Pentagon stated that further information would be released as appropriate.

Saturday’s incident marks the second American military fatality since the start of the Mosul operation against the Islamic State group more than six months ago. The Pentagon has acknowledged more than 100 U.S. special operations forces are operating with Iraqi units, with hundreds more playing a support role in staging bases farther from the front lines. h/t dailyjournal

There are now more U.S. forces in Iraq than any time since the 2011 U.S. withdrawal, marking an intensifying war as Iraqi forces and the U.S.-led coalition work to push IS out of the last pockets of territory it controls in Iraq.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this difficult time.