Swede killed in Iraq by U.S. forces

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Swedish authorities revealed a 43-year-old Swedish citizen suspected of leading an Islamist network was killed by U.S. forces in Iraq.

The Swedish Security Service said the man died in a firefight with U.S. troops during an attempt to capture him in early October, Swedish news agency TT reported Wednesday.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry said it was informed of the incident Tuesday and the circumstances surrounding the man's death are under investigation.

"We are making contact with the American authorities," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Miriam Mannbro said.

She said the ministry is declining to offer further details until the man's family has been notified.

"But this could be difficult because they are probably abroad," Mannbro said.

The Swedish Security Service said the man had been under investigation for several years.

"We've known about the man since the 1990s. He's suspected of having led an Islamist network which has supported terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, and North Africa," spokeswoman Tina Israelsson said.