WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the military is holding an Islamic State leader who was captured in a raid by American special operations forces.

The militant has been in custody in Iraq for about two to three weeks. Officials say they believe he is the first significant Islamic State leader to be captured by the U.S. in Iraq, but wouldn't release his identity.

They said he was grabbed by members of what the Pentagon calls an expeditionary targeting force. The force aims to disrupt Islamic State operations in Iraq and Syria and gather intelligence information that can be used to conduct follow-on raids and strikes.

The officials weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.

The New York Times was first to report the capture.