2 Hostages Killed in Yemen

A U.S. journalist and a South African teacher who were held by al Qaeda militants have been killed on Saturday in a failed rescue attempt in Yemen, officials said.

American journalist Luke Somers and South African Pierre Korkie were fatally shot by their kidnappers shortly after a raid that took place in the southern Shawba region. They were being held by al Qaeda militants in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), seen as one of the deadliest off-shots by the U.S.

In less than six months, this has been the third failed rescue attempt by the U.S. After concluding that Somers’ life was in “imminent danger,” President Barack Obama had authorized the operation, led by about three dozen Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos.

Obama condemned the hostage killings by the AQAP and explained the reason he authorized the operation. “Earlier this week, a video released by his terrorist captors announced that Luke would be killed within 72 hours,” he said in a statement. He also explained that he authorized rescue operations for any other hostages that were being held in the same location as Somers.

The American commandos had raided four homes, killing two militants and eight civilians, one civilian being a 70-year-old man, said a tribal leader, Tarek al-Daghari al-Awlaki. The villagers spent the rest of Saturday burying the dead and collecting spent bullet casings. “The shooting caused panic. Nine of the dead are from my tribe,” Mr. Daghari said, according to the New York Times.

American officials responded by saying that they acted while facing a tiny window of opportunity and a perilous deadline. In a video statement, AQAP gave the U.S. three days to comply with unspecified demands or they would kill Somers.

Mr. Somers’ death appeared to be a large response to the first raid performed by the U.S. on Nov. 25 led by the Special Operations Commando on a cave near the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. was successful in freeing eight other hostages while killing seven militants but had no luck in finding Somers.

Obama offered his condolences to Somers’ family.

“I also offer my thoughts and prayers to the family of a non-U.S. citizen hostage who was also murdered by these terrorists during the rescue operation,” the statement read. “Their despair and sorrow at this time are beyond words.”