US special forces failed to rescue hostages in Yemen, 13 people died

Several hostages were killed in the rescue attempt by US special forces.

US-led forces attacked Islamist militants in Yemen on December 7 in an attempt to rescue hostages being held by the Islamists.

Internet photo

However, local residents said the rescue attempt was unsuccessful and two Western hostages were killed. At least 11 people died, including a woman, a 10-year-old boy and a commander of the local al-Qaeda branch.

US special forces raided the village of Dafaar in Shabwa province, a militant stronghold in southern Yemen, shortly after midnight on December 6, killing several al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members.

During the rescue operation, the hostage takers shot dead both American journalist Luke Somers (33 years old) and South African teacher Pierre Korkie (56 years old), US officials said.

AQAP, which was formed in 2006 from the merger of al-Qaeda branches in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, has been considered by the US to be one of al-Qaeda's most dangerous branches.

Western governments fear that Iran-linked Shiite Houthi militants have turned Sunni Yemenis to support the AQAP group, which has established a presence in parts of Yemen, including Shabwa province where the rescue took place.

However, as the Islamic State (IS) began releasing videos showing IS fighters beheading Western hostages, the focus on AQAP (which specializes in holding hostages for ransom) has waned.

AQAP is currently holding at least two more hostages.

The Yemen-based group has pledged allegiance to the al-Qaeda umbrella group led by Osama bin Laden and has disavowed IS, although Western and Gulf sources say there may still be operational links between the two.

A senior Yemeni intelligence official said: “AQAP and IS are the same organization but have different tactics and execution methods.”./.

According to VOV