After a failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Syria being held by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant forces, a future mission to save hostages may be very difficult, according to CBS News.
According to a statement released by the Department of Defense, U.S. forces attempted to rescue several American hostages – including James Foley – earlier this summer. However, the mission was unsuccessful, as the hostages were not being held in the suspected location.
A successful breach but no hostages
"The United States attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of American hostages held in Syria by [ISIL]," Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement. "This operation involved air and ground components and was focused on a particular captor network within ISIL. Unfortunately, the mission was not successful because the hostages were not present at the targeted location."
Despite the failed attempt and the increased difficulty U.S. forces will face as ISIL becomes more vigilant in their hostage captivity and transportation methods, Kirby said the military will continue to work to find and bring back U.S. citizens.
"The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will work tirelessly to secure the safety of our citizens and to hold their captors accountable," Kirby said.
A sensitive situation
There are at least three more American citizens being held by the same Islamic terrorist forces that executed Foley, according to CBS News sources. However, locating and securing these citizens may be increasingly difficult, CBS News Homeland Security correspondent Bob Orr reported. Now, it is likely hostages will be split up and moved around to make tracking harder. Additionally, the terrorist group may limit its telecommunications to evade American forces. Government officials initially tried to keep the failed operation secret to prevent ISIL from increasing protection of the hostages.
The rescue mission
According to USA Today, President Barack Obama authorized the rescue mission because U.S. intelligence was convinced the American hostages were in significant and imminent danger.
"[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 (Islamic State) custody," Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism said, according to USA Today.
The rescue mission included two black hawk helicopters equipped with stealth technology, 24 special operations forces commandos and surveillance aircraft overhead, CBS News reported. Military forces searched for hostages in a disused oil refinery that was reportedly being used as an ISIL stronghold. They came in contact with several ISIL militants and were engaged in a firefight. Several terrorist fighters were killed and one American soldier was wounded. All military forces were flown to safety.
The hostages were gone when the soldiers searched the location. Supposedly, the rescue team had just missed them, according to NBC News sources. U.S. officials reportedly admitted that intelligence about the mission was not based on the best intelligence, but the mission was launched because the hostages were thought to be in immediate danger.