Al-Qaeda accuses Obama of indirectly causing death of hostages in Yemen

• December 11, 2014 21:08

(Baonghean.vn) - On Thursday, December 11, an Al-Qaeda video was released on the internet, accusing Mr. Obama's decision of indirectly causing the deaths of two hostages that the terrorist group was holding.

Tổng thống Obama trong một cuộc họp báo về việc giải cứu con tin. Ảnh: AP/Jim Bourg

President Obama at a press conference on the hostage rescue. Photo: AP/Jim Bourg

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In a video posted on Thursday, Nasser Al-Ansi, the head of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), said that “Obamam has made wrong decisions” and that his actions have signed “a death sentence for his countrymen.” Nasser Al-Ansi also condemned US policy toward the “Islamic State” and asserted that “the lives of all Americans are in danger whether they are in or outside the United States or anywhere on Earth.”

Last Saturday, the operation to rescue American hostage Luke Somers and South African hostage Pierre Korkie failed. US special forces failed to locate the hostages during the operation targeting a location in southeastern Yemen. Previously, AQAP had threatened to execute the American hostages if the US did not meet the terrorist group's demands within three days.

Nasser Al-Ansi reiterated his ultimatum. The Al-Qaeda leader claimed that President Obama ordered the attack “despite our warnings that he should not do anything stupid.” Nasser Al-Ansi asserted that “Obama did nothing to prevent the death of the American hostage,” and that “he himself gave the final death sentence.” And the Obama administration’s “barbaric” military operation killed “a fellow countryman and a South African hostage while negotiations for the release of the hostages were still underway.”

After the hostage rescue operation failed and especially when receiving information that "Luke's life was in danger", President Obama affirmed "to authorize the hostage rescue operation...in coordination with the Yemeni government".

Chu Thanh

According to LeMonde 11/12