US attempted unsuccessful rescue of ISIL hostages -- Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (KUNA) -- The US Department of Defense confirmed late Wednesday that earlier this summer, the military "attempted a rescue operation ... to free a number of American hostages held in Syria by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)," but was ultimately unsuccessful, as the hostages had been moved to a different location.
The announcement follows the gruesome murder of American freelance journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by ISIL in a video released on Tuesday, meant as a warning against further US intervention in Iraq. Foley was captured in Syria two years ago, and had not been heard from since.
Pentagon Spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement that the failed operation "involved air and ground components and was focused on a particular captor network within ISIL." Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco affirmed that US President Barack Obama "authorized action at this time because it was the national security team's assessment that these hostages were in danger with each passing day in ISIL custody." "Given the need to protect our military's operational capabilities, we will not be able to reveal the details of this operation," she added. "But the President could not be prouder of the US forces who carried out this mission and the dedicated intelligence and diplomatic professionals who supported their efforts." For his part, Kirby stressed the US "is committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens, particularly those suffering in captivity. In this case, we put the best of the United States military in harms' way to try and bring our citizens home." He also gave assurances that the Obama Administration "uses the full breadth of our military, intelligence and diplomatic capabilities to bring people home whenever we can," and stressed the US " will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will work tirelessly to secure the safety of our citizens and to hold their captors accountable." (end) ys.gta