US probes reports of death of second citizen linked with ISIS

The White House could not immediately confirm Wednesday night reports of the death of a second U.S. citizen fighting with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). 

National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the government is aware of the reports and social media activity about the fighter’s death in Syria. 

{mosads}”At this point, we are not in a position to confirm those reports. Should that change, we will provide an update,” she said in a statement. 

Reports of a second U.S. fighter killed surfaced after the White House confirmed the death of American citizen Douglas McAuthur McCain in Syria. He was killed over the weekend while fighting with ISIS. 

Hayden said the White House was aware of his presence in the country before his death. 

“We were aware of U.S. Citizen Douglas McAuthur McCain’s presence in Syria and can confirm his death,” Hayden said in a statement Tuesday. “We continue to use every tool we possess to disrupt and dissuade individuals from traveling abroad for violent jihad and to track and engage those who return.”

Officials have warned of the threat posed by Western fighters traveling to Syria to fight alongside the militants. Their passports make it much easier to enter the United States, posing the risk of a domestic attack. 

The United States has currently defined ISIS as more of a regional threat in the Middle East, but has said that could change quickly.