U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel safeguarded the resolution to formally address and acknowledge the failed undertaking of recuing hostages held in Syria earlier this year, including the late American Journalist James Foley.

Republicans met Hagel with much criticism for his decision to defend the formal acknowledgment.

Like Us on Facebook

In an uncommon public conformation of covert operations, the U.S. Defense Department and the White House acknowledged that President Obama sent special operations troops to Syria this summer on a highly covert rescue mission. This mission aimed to counter-abduct the American hostages being held by the Islamic State extremist group. This mission was met with difficulty and was ultimately unsuccessful.

Several dozen Special Forces were dropped by aircraft into Syria, but could not find the hostages in that particular location. Special Forces engaged in a firefight with Islamic State militia, and departed while some sustained some minor injuries.

Defense Secretary Hagel states that there were numerous news outlets aware, and or reporting on the raid. However, he states that sole reason they acknowledged the covert operation was because numerous outlets had already known about it and possibly made it public.

Some believe this is only a follow up statement to criticism received by Republicans, regarding both formal acknowledgment and the apparent leak beforehand to multiple media outlets and members of the press.

Rep. Buck Mckeon, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called for an investigation into the leak. He urges Hagel and other officials to investigate the matter "immediately and thoroughly".

Mckeon feels that whether they are successful or not, such operations are highly sensitive even after they have concluded. Disclosure of these missions can put the lives of both troops and captives at risk.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Hard reported that the administration had zero intentions of making the rescue operation public yet were forced to do so as media outlets were on the verge of leaking or delivering the information to the public.

The administration revealed the top secret recue mission one day after IS militants released a video showing American reporter James Foley's beheading and threatening to kill another American hostage.

The acknowledgment of the covert missions letters the very first time the United States government revealed that the American military personnel have been occupying ground in Syria since the civil war broke out more than 3 years ago. 

TagsUS Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, james foley, U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Government