VIDEO: Helmet-cam footage of IS hostage rescue in Iraq

Helmet-cam footage has been released, appearing to show American and Kurdish forces rescuing dozens of hostages from an Islamic State prison in Iraq.

An American soldier was killed in the raid, the first to die in a combat operation against IS.

Paul Davis is a former US army intelligence analyst.

He says the raid is good publicity for the United States, as they battle for influence in the region.

"It puts us back in the game, we have had an unfortunate reputation recently of not getting involved, demand that we will not put US boots on the ground, and have given leverage to Iran and more recently to the Russians."