Two hostages held by al-Qaeda fighters in Yemen have been killed during a failed US-led rescue attempt.American photojournalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie, held by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), died during the rescue operation in the southern Shabwa province on Saturday.The raid had been ordered by US President Barack Obama over perceived “imminent danger” to Somers. At least 10 al-Qaeda fighters were killed in the raid besides the hostages.AQAP had posted a video online threatening to kill Somers, apparently prompting the rescue attempt by American forces backed by Yemeni ground troops.The US first tried to free him on November 25, which resulted in the rescue of eight other captives but not Somers, who had been moved by his captors before the raid.Somers, 33, who was abducted in September 2013 while he worked as a freelance photojournalist for the Yemen Times newspaper, died from injuries sustained during the rescue attempt.Lucy, Somers’ sister, was quoted by the Assoicated Press news agency, as saying that she was informed by the FBI of his death.“We ask that all of Luke’s family members be allowed to mourn in peace,” she said.For its part, Gift of the Givers, a South African Islamic aid group, which was helping with negotiations to secure Korkie’s freedom, said he was to be released on Sunday and his wife was told only on Saturday morning that “the wait is almost over”.In a statement, Gift of the Givers said: “We received with sadness the news that Pierre [Korkie] was killed in an attempt by American Special Forces, in the early hours of this morning, to free hostages in Yemen.“The psychological and emotional devastation to Yolande and her family will be compounded by the knowledge that Pierre was to be released by al-Qaeda tomorrow.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/hostages-killed-in-failed-rescue-bid-in-yemen/

Seal men don retire?

Osama style no work!!!!!

The Americans should have waited for our guy to be released, this is the first Hostage S.A has lost outside of our borders.

I thought the west have all the answers to kidnap cases? I wonder how many lives would have been lost if they attempted to rescue hostages numbering upto say,200? The world made our military look weak and clueless when 200 chibok girls were reported missing, like it was just an easy rambo style smash and grab rescue..the gullible and moronic 'patriotic nigerians' carried placards to Aso rock as if it was the president who kidnapped the girls..chosing to forget who the enemy really is..what a country full of dumbasses!
The iraqi army surrendered all the military hardwares they got from America, infact they surrendered the weaponry of a full division!(tell me any gross incompetence and cowardice greater than that?) it was later discovered that about 50,000 ghost military men were under the payroll of the iraqi government (now tell me any corruption greater than that)..YET, the West and its allies are sending military hardware and logistic to fight the jihadists for the iraqis..the sheepishly gullible 'sophisticated nigerians' will never see beyond their noses..help them realise their prediction for the disintegration of this farce of a country...you lots will be doing us all a huge service!

@seun, do us a favour and put this topic where all and sundry can see and contribute..for those who are quick to point leperous fingers at the nigerian army to see that 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side'