U.S. Rescue Operation Fails. American Killed by Terrorists

By Rakesh Raman

The outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, confirmed today the murder of U.S. hostage Luke Somers by Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists.

The U.S. Special Operations Forces had conducted a mission Friday in Yemen to rescue Somers, but Somers and a second non-U.S. citizen hostage were murdered by the AQAP terrorists during the course of the operation, which was ordered by President Obama.

Several of the AQAP terrorists holding the hostages captive were killed in the mission, according to a statement issued today by Hagel.

[ Also Read: Al-Qaeda: “India’s PM Modi Is a Hindu Fanatic and Mass Murderer” ]

Somers, a British-born photojournalist, was kidnapped by Al-Qa’ida in September 2013. A couple days ago, his family had released a video pleading for his release.

Luke’s brother Jordan Somers said in the video that they are not responsible for the actions of the U.S. government and his brother who is just a journalist should be released.

Meanwhile, a recent article of Dabiq, the flagship magazine of the Islamic State (IS or ISIS – Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), has given ISIS’ version of the execution of the American journalist James Foley.

It said that Foley was not discharging his duties as a journalist honestly. “His work entailed documenting the wars through crusaders’ eyes, reporting all that serves their foreign policy and agenda whilst withholding any news that could expose their evils.”

[ Read: Islamic State Magazine Dabiq Reveals the Cause for James Foley’s Execution ]

Last month, a U.S. aid worker Abdul-Rahman (formerly Peter) Kassig was also beheaded by ISIS.

Now both these groups – Al-Qa’ida and ISIS – are trying to gain supremacy in the evolving world of terror. Kidnapping and killing of the hostages is a major retributive weapon that they are using against the U.S. and its allies.

The killing of Luke Somers in Yemen is the latest case of the killing of a hostage while it’s believed that Al-Qa’ida and ISIS have many other hostages with them.

[ Also Read: ISIS Kidnapped 40 Indian Workers, Kills 39: Reports ]

“The rescue attempt took place in central Yemen and was conducted in partnership with the Government of Yemen. I thank President Hadi, the Yemeni government, and Yemen security forces for their assistance and cooperation,” said Hagel in the statement.

By Rakesh Raman, the managing editor of RMN Company

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