Islamic State militants foiled an attempt by U.S. military commandos to carry out a raid in Syria, similar to the one that killed one of the group's leaders this month, a pro-Hezbollah Lebanese newspaper reported Wednesday.
Denying the report, a U.S. defense official said no such mission was conducted. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because special operations generally aren't disclosed.
Citing people on the ground it didn't identify, Al-Akhbar daily said four U.S. helicopters, backed by two jets, attempted a raid on a gas facility in the city of al-Shaddadi in the northeastern al-Hasaka province Monday night. The target was unknown, the newspaper said.
Islamic State fired anti-aircraft guns at the helicopters, forcing them to abort their mission, the newspaper said. The jets fired at the factory's main plant before the helicopters attempted to land.
Hezbollah is fighting in Syria's war along with forces of President Bashar al-Assad against mainly Sunni groups, including Islamic State.