US reveals failed hostage rescue operation in Syria

The United States said Wednesday that its special forces tried this summer to rescue American hostages held by Islamist 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 jihadist was revealed in a video Tuesday. Foley was kidnapped in northern Syria in November 2012 and his grisly murder has provoked revulsion and condemnation. 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 in a statement, referring to the Islamic State. ‘Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location.’ The White House said in a statement that 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 (IS) custody,’ according to AFP.