U.S. Commando Killed In Raid On Al Qaeda In Yemen

A member of Seal Team Six was killed Saturday and three others injured during a raid in Yemen on Al Qaeda operatives, the Pentagon said Sunday. An estimated 14 members of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula were killed during the operation.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our elite servicemembers,” Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. Joseph Votel said in a statement. "The sacrifices are very profound in our fight against terrorists who threaten innocent peoples across the globe."

The Pentagon says that a U.S. military aircraft - an MV-22 Osprey - assisting in the operation experienced a hard landing at a nearby location, resulting in an additional American injury. That aircraft was unable to fly after the landing and was then intentionally destroyed.

Commandos were able to "capture of information that will likely provide insight into the planning of future terror plots," the Pentagon said, adding the raid was one in a series of aggressive moves against terrorist planners in Yemen and worldwide.

In a statement, President Trump said "the life of a heroic service member has been taken in our fight against the evil of radical Islamic terrorism.

"The sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces, and the families they leave behind, are the backbone of the liberty we hold so dear as Americans, united in our pursuit of a safer nation and a freer world."

Other operations have produced intelligence on Al Qaeda logistics, recruiting and financing efforts, according to the Pentagon.

The name of the service member killed in action is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The raid followed a series of military operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula by the United States in Yemem's al-Baydah region.

U.S. Central Command conducted three strikes in three days - Jan. 20, 21, 22 - each one resulting in the death of an Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operative.

"Strikes against Al Qaeda operatives in Yemen put consistent pressure on the terrorist network and prevent them from plotting and executing attacks against the U.S. and our allies," Army Maj. Josh T. Jacques, a U.S. Central Command spokesman, said in a statement. "AQAP remains a significant threat to the region, the United States, and beyond.

"U.S. Central Command remains committed to defeating AQAP and denying it safe havens in Yemen."

File photo of MV-22 Osprey via The Pentagon