U.S. officials condemned Saturday the killing of American journalist Luke Somers, who was killed during a desperate attempt by U.S. commandos to free him from al Qaeda in Yemen Friday.
President Obama said early Saturday in a written statement that Mr. Somers was the victim of a “barbaric murder” at the hands of al Qaeda terrorists as the deadline neared for his execution by the group.
“Other information also indicated Luke’s life was in imminent danger,” Mr. Obama said. “Based on this assessment, and as soon as there was reliable intelligence and an operational plan, I authorized a rescue attempt yesterday.”
Mr. Somers, 33, was believed to have been shot by his captors as the second attempt to rescue him since Nov. 25 unfolded. He had pleaded for his release in a dramatic video several days ago.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that Mr. Somers and the other hostage, identified as South African Pierre Korkie, were “murdered by AQAP [al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] terrorists during the course of the operation.”
The raid began around 2 a.m. local time Friday in Yemen, and Mr. Somers was at first thought to have been rescued alive but injured. But it was soon learned Mr. Somers and the other hostage had died of gunshot wounds from their captors, who reportedly shot them as operators from the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team Six closed in on the hostage site and killed AQAP fighters holding the freelance photojournalist, a counter-terrorism official told ABC News.
SEE ALSO: Luke Somers killed by al Qaeda in failed U.S. rescue attempt in Yemen
Mr. Hagel said the operation was conducted in central Yemen with the cooperation of the Yemeni government.
Mr. Somers’ sister, Lucy, told the Associated Press that FBI agents visited her at her home in London to inform her of his death. She had released a video earlier pleading for his release.
“I am Lucy Somers, Luke Somers is my older brother. Luke is a gentle and sensitive person, he is a romantic and always believes the best in people,” she said. “I have been comforted by all the messages of love and support from the Yemeni people. And I would like to add my voice to theirs in asking for mercy. Your way of life is what Luke loved. Please let him live.”
Mr. Somers was born in Britain but has American citizenship.
The president said his thoughts are prayers are with Mr. Somers’ family.
“Their despair and sorrow at this time are beyond words,” Mr. Obama said. “It is my highest responsibility to do everything possible to protect American citizens. As this and previous hostage rescue operations demonstrate, the United States will spare no effort to use all of its military, intelligence, and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located. And terrorists who seek to harm our citizens will feel the long arm of American justice.”
Yemen’s national security chief, Maj. Gen. Ali al-Ahmadi, said the militants planned to kill Mr. Somers on Saturday.
“Al Qaeda promised to conduct the execution (of Somers) today so there was an attempt to save them but unfortunately they shot the hostage before or during the attack,” al-Ahmadi said at a conference in Manama, Bahrain. “He was freed but unfortunately he was dead.”
Yemen’s local al-Qaida branch, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, posted a video Thursday that showed Somers, threatening to kill him in three days if the United States didn’t meet the group’s demands, which weren’t specified. He was kidnapped in September 2013 from Sanaa.
The news of the failed rescue comes after a suspected U.S. drone strike in Yemen killed nine alleged al-Qaida militants early Saturday, a Yemeni security official said before news of Somers‘ death. The drone struck at dawn in Yemen’s southern Shabwa province, hitting a suspected militant hideout, the official said. The official did not elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to brief journalists.
Later Saturday, tribal leaders said they saw helicopters flying over an area called Wadi Abdan in Shabwa province.
• This article is based in part on wire-service reports.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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