American service member killed in Iraq by 'direct fire'

[Geee]

The Hill:

A U.S. service member fighting in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was killed Tuesday morning in northern Iraq, according to Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

 

"It is a combat death," Carter said at a news conference in Stuttgart, Germany, where he has been meeting with European allies this week, according to The Associated Press.

 

ISIS fighters penetrated the Kurdish peshmerga forces' front lines, according to a Defense Department official who asked not to be identified.

 

The service member was three to five kilometers behind the front lines, but killed by "direct fire," the official said.