The Pentagon said today it has&nbsp;rescued &nbsp;American citizen Philip Walton from captivity in Nigeria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-win-for-our-very-elite-us-special-forces-today-trump-339298">Also Read:&nbsp;Big win for our very elite US Special Forces today, says&nbsp;Trump</a>

US President in a tweet had earlier said US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today.

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Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1322534172339150853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Philip Walton was abducted on the outskirts of Massalata in the Nigerian border.

"Walton is safe and in the care of the US State Department," the Pentagon said, adding, "US forces did not suffer any casualties in the rescue operation."

Hailing the rescue effort, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive, we delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen."

Reports said the Special forces including Navy SEALs rescued Philip Walton,27, from captivity after he was kidnapped by armed men who abducted him from his home.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that the Trump administration had in the last four years rescued 55 hostages.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Pentagon said today it has rescued American citizen Philip Walton from captivity in Nigeria. Also Read: Big win for our very elite US Special Forces today, says Trump US President in a tweet had earlier said US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today.

The Pentagon said today it has rescued American citizen Philip Walton from captivity in Nigeria. Also Read: Big win for our very elite US Special Forces today, says Trump US President in a tweet had earlier said US Special Forces had managed a "big win" today. Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2020 × Philip Walton was abducted on the outskirts of Massalata in the Nigerian border. "Walton is safe and in the care of the US State Department," the Pentagon said, adding, "US forces did not suffer any casualties in the rescue operation." Hailing the rescue effort, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive, we delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen." Reports said the Special forces including Navy SEALs rescued Philip Walton,27, from captivity after he was kidnapped by armed men who abducted him from his home. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that the Trump administration had in the last four years rescued 55 hostages.

US forces free American hostage Philip Walton in Nigeria

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 18 said, United States will maintain its pressure campaign on Iran and continue to deter aggression in the region but does not want the conflict with Tehran to escalate. Watch this video to know more.

U.S. justifies rising military presence in Middle East

Pompeo says US will still lead fight against ISIS

The United States shut its consulate in the protest-hit southern Iraqi city of Basra, blaming "indirect fire" by Iran-backed forces and warning its rival of retaliation for any damage.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday ordered that all but emergency staff leave Basra, with consular duties to be taken over by the embassy in Baghdad.

Basra has been rocked by weeks of demonstrations by Iraqis protesting unemployment and government inefficiency in the oil-rich south.

Pompeo, who has made rolling back Iranian influence in the region a top priority, blamed militias linked to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards for "indirect fire" -- which usually means rockets or artillery -- against the US consulate.

"I have advised the government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere and whether perpetrated by Iranian forces directly or by associated proxy militias," he said in a statement while in New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

"I have made clear that Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks," he added. 
Ruled by Shiite clerics, Iran has a strong influence in Iraq, especially in the country's Shiite-majority south.

Iran's consulate itself was earlier burned down during the protests, although no one was injured and Tehran quickly opened a new mission.

Iran's foreign ministry earlier called US allegations of fomenting violence in Basra "astonishing, provocative and irresponsible." Speaking at the General Assembly, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also dismissed the US criticism of involvement in its neighbour, questioning why Washington itself was involved in a country so far away.

Earlier this month three mortar rounds also hit the fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, home to the US embassy, without causing injuries and with the perpetrators unclear.

Diplomatic security is a key priority for the United States and Pompeo, who as a congressman went on the offensive against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton over a deadly attack on the US consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi

The United States shut its consulate in the protest-hit southern Iraqi city of Basra, blaming "indirect fire" by Iran-backed forces and warning its rival of retaliation for any damage.

The United States shut its consulate in the protest-hit southern Iraqi city of Basra, blaming "indirect fire" by Iran-backed forces and warning its rival of retaliation for any damage. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Friday ordered that all but emergency staff leave Basra, with consular duties to be taken over by the embassy in Baghdad. Basra has been rocked by weeks of demonstrations by Iraqis protesting unemployment and government inefficiency in the oil-rich south. Pompeo, who has made rolling back Iranian influence in the region a top priority, blamed militias linked to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards for "indirect fire" -- which usually means rockets or artillery -- against the US consulate. "I have advised the government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere and whether perpetrated by Iranian forces directly or by associated proxy militias," he said in a statement while in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. "I have made clear that Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks," he added. Ruled by Shiite clerics, Iran has a strong influence in Iraq, especially in the country's Shiite-majority south. Iran's consulate itself was earlier burned down during the protests, although no one was injured and Tehran quickly opened a new mission. Iran's foreign ministry earlier called US allegations of fomenting violence in Basra "astonishing, provocative and irresponsible." Speaking at the General Assembly, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also dismissed the US criticism of involvement in its neighbour, questioning why Washington itself was involved in a country so far away. Earlier this month three mortar rounds also hit the fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, home to the US embassy, without causing injuries and with the perpetrators unclear. Diplomatic security is a key priority for the United States and Pompeo, who as a congressman went on the offensive against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton over a deadly attack on the US consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi

US shuts consulate in Iraq's Basra, blames 'indirect fire'