One member of a US special operations force has died following an overnight mission to rescue hostages near Hawija, in northern Iraq.<br /><br /> The soldier becomes the first American to be killed in ground combat with the self-styled Islamic State, or ISIL, in the country.<br /><br /> Some 69 people who were being held captive by the militant group were freed during the operation.<br /><br /> The Pentagon says US tactics remain the same in the war against ISIL.<br /><br /> “This operation was deliberately planned and launched after receiving information that the hostages faced imminent mass execution,” said Pentagon spokesperson, Peter Cook. “It was authorized consistent with our counter-ISIL effort to train, advise and assist Iraqi forces. The US provided helicopter lift and accompanied Iraqi Peshmerga forces to the compound.”<br /><br /> The mission was a collaborative effort with Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces, aimed at rescuing hostages from an ISIL prison. Several Peshmerga fighters were injured during the operation.<br /><br /> Accordin
