At 0200hrs on October 22, 2015, the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), part and parcel of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC), conducted a special operation supported by the Global Coalition on a prison compound in Hawija confirmed of holding prisoners and hostages held by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIL).

During the operation, which ended at 0400hrs and took place approximately 7km North of Hawija, 69 hostages were successfully rescued, 6 ISIL terrorists detained and more than 20 killed. An initial examination showed there are no Kurds among the rescued hostages.

A US service member regrettably lost his life during the course of the operation. Three CTD personnel were injured.

The rescued hostages have been handed over to relevant authorities after requisite medical evaluations and care.

We express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the US service member we lost in this operation and we are grateful to the counterterrorism professionals for their bravery and to the Global Coalition for providing support to this operation.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)