U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter now says that he expects U.S. forces to carry out more operations similar to the one that left a U.S. soldier dead on Thursday. After the rescue mission yesterday, the Pentagon reassured Americans that the operation, which was lead by Kurdish forces, did not signal a change in military tactics. Although details are sketchy, it is believed that the rescued group was not the one the troops were seeking.
Hundreds of refugees have fled militant controlled areas west of Kirkuk and are awaiting permission to enter Iraqi Kurdistan.
Due to Ashura observances and the prayer day, casualties were light. At least 53 were killed and nine were wounded:
In Mosul, a Coalition airstrike killed nine civilians, including children, in the Qawsiyat area. Militants executed a professor and a police officer. An airstrike killed a number of militants.
Mortar fire left one child dead and five civilians wounded in Khalidiya.
An attack on Gwer left two servicemembers dead.
Security forces killed 19 militants in the mountains south of Shirqat.
Shelling in Ba’shiqah left 12 militants dead.
Eight militants were killed and four were wounded across Baghdad.
