US soldier feared killed in Iraq — defense secretary

Serviceman died while fighting in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, preliminary reports say

By AFP 3 May 2016, 2:35 pm

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US Marine Corps Sgt. Josh Greathouse scans the area during a perimeter patrol in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 21, 2016. (Sgt. Rick Hurtado, Marine Corps/Defense Department)

STUTTGART, Germany — US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday he feared a US soldier had been killed in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.

“There are reports now that an American service member has been killed in Iraq (in) the neighborhood of Arbil,” Carter said, citing “preliminary reports.”

“I believe that much is true so our thoughts and prayers are with that service member’s family,” he told reporters at the US European Command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

“As we learn more, we will give you more information about that.”

A statement from the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said earlier that one of its service members was killed by enemy fire in northern Iraq but did not specify the victim’s nationality.