At least 13 killed in failed U.S. bid to rescue hostages in Yemen

[Psephos]

Source: Reuters

SANAA/ADEN (Reuters) - A woman, a 10-year-old boy and a local al Qaeda leader were among at least 11 people killed alongside two Western hostages when U.S.-led forces fought Islamist militants in a failed rescue mission in Yemen, residents said on Sunday.

U.S. special forces raided the village of Dafaar in Shabwa province, a militant stronghold in southern Yemen, shortly after midnight on Saturday, killing several members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

American journalist Luke Somers, 33, and South African teacher Pierre Korkie, 56, were shot and killed by their captors during the raid intended to free them, U.S. officials said.

<snip>

Apart from the woman and the boy, reports on social media feeds of known militants said an AQAP commander and two members of the group were killed. Six other members of the same tribe also died, the reports said, although they could not be immediately verified. The commander, identified as Jamal Mubarak al-Hard al-Daghari al-Awlaki, appeared to be the same person as Mubarak al-Harad, named by the Yemen Defence Ministry on Saturday as the leader of an AQAP group.

<snip>

Read more: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/least-13-killed-failed-u-bid-rescue-hostages-130619750.html

[jakeXT]

1. A charity working with Mr Korkie said he was to have been freed on Sunday.

A charity working with Mr Korkie said he was to have been freed on Sunday.

Its project director said the US rescue attempt had "destroyed everything".

The US says the raid in southern Yemen was launched because they believed there was an immediate threat to Mr Somers' life.

However, it is understood that a payment had been made to enable the release of Mr Korkie.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30366455

[hack89]

3. Let the American die so the South African can live?

It would be hard for the president to publically justify that.

[blackspade]

2. Two botched raids in 10 days?

Ouch.

Seems like we have excelled at killing a ton of people with no 'mission' payoff.
What a fuck-up.

[Kennah]

4. Life ain't Commando. Shit happens. Our SF guys are shit hot, but they cannot perform miracles.

[aquart]

5. Not feeling the love for Yemen.