U.S. service member killed near Mosul identified as infantry officer

(Reuters) A U.S. service member who died when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol outside the northern Iraqi city of Mosul was identified on Sunday as 1st Lieutenant Weston Lee.

Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, was an infantry officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army said in a statement.

U.S.-backed forces have been fighting to retake the Islamic State strongholds of Mosul.

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Weston Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, an infantry officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, poses in an undated photo released by the U.S. Army April 30, 2017. 82nd Airborne Division/US Army/Handout via REUTERS

News of the death came as U.S. President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office. During last year’s presidential election campaign, Trump vowed to give priority to destroying Islamic State, which operates mostly in Syria and Iraq.

Islamic State has lost most of the city since the offensive began in October and is now surrounded in the northwestern districts, including the historic Old City center.

Even if defeated in Mosul, Islamic State will remain in control of vast swathes of land in the border area with Syria.

Source:iraqinews.com