BAGHDAD:  An American soldier died in the line of duty alongside Iraqi security personnel in Nineveh province, the US military said.

Issuing a statement, US Central command said, “One US service member died today during an Iraqi Security Force mission in Iraq, while advising and accompanying the ISF during a planned operation.”

Iraq’s government in late 2017 declared victory against IS, which seized vast swathes of the country including the key northern city of Mosul in a lightning 2014 offensive.

But the jihadist group has lately “solidified its insurgent capabilities in Iraq” , according to a report this week by the US Defense Department watchdog.

The report also said IS was “resurging” in neighboring Syria, despite a Kurdish offensive — backed by US-led coalition air support — to seize the last shred of the jihadists’ self-styled caliphate in Deir Ezzor province earlier this year.

(Agencies)