American hostage Luke Somers, who was held by al-Qaeda in Yemen, has died during a rescue operation in the southern province of Shabwa, a senior official in the president’s office has said.
Somers, 33, who was abducted in September 2013 while he worked as a freelance photojournalist for Yemen Times, died from injuries sustained during the operation.
The New York Times said Somers was shot at by his captors as the joint raid by US and Yemeni forces unfolded and was badly wounded when the commandos reached him. He died while being blown to a US naval base in the region.
Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee told Al Jazeera the fighters originally tried to escape with Somers. He was apparently shot after his captors found themselves surrounded.
At least ten al-Qaeda fighters were also killed in the raid.
Somers appeared in a video released by al-Qaeda on Thursday in which he pleaded for help. His captors said in the same video that “he would meet his inevitable fate” unless the group’s demands were met within three days.
His sister, Lucy, was quoted by AP 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.
Source: Punchng
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