US reveals failed hostage rescue in Syria

WASHINGTON: The US said Wednesday that its special forces tried this summer to rescue American hostages held by militants in Syria.
News reports quoting government officials said Wednesday the captives included James Foley, the American journalist whose graphic execution by an Islamic State (IS) militant was revealed in a video Tuesday, provoking revulsion and condemnation.
Foley was kidnapped in Syria in 2012.
The Pentagon confirmed the failed hostage-rescue operation but did not specify whether Foley was among the captives.
"This operation involved air and ground components and was focused on a particular captor network within ISIL (IS)," Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
He said it failed because the hostages were not present at the targeted location.
The White House said in a statement that President Barack Obama "authorised 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 (IS) custody". – AFP