We've been all over the country," one of the US servicemen told Reuters on the bridge, about 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Mosul. He said the Iraqis were making quick progress in repairing the span, and that the American troops would leave the area within days. The United States is conducting an extensive air campaign over Iraq and also covert special forces raids against the jihadists behind their frontlines. Then in April, a rocket attack by Islamic State killed Marine Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin at an American base near Makhmour used for protecting US advisers. A military convoy heading on Monday towards the base, which was heavily damaged by fleeing Islamic State militants, contained sophisticated engineering vehicles and heavily armored transport vehicles.

Source: bd News24 September 01, 2016 17:26 UTC