British-American hostage killed during rescue operation in Yemen

British-American journalist, Luke Somers who was held hostage by al-Qaeda in Yemen has died during a rescue operation by a joint team of US and Yemeni forces. 
 

Luke Somers

 A senior official in the US said the Somers died of gunshot injuries sustained during the operation in the southern province of Shabwa.

According to the New York Times, Somers was shot by his captors during the raid. He died while being flown to a US naval base in the region.

About 10 al-Qaeda fighters were killed in the raid.

On Wednesday, al-Qaeda leader in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Sheikh Nasser al-Ansi, in a video, had threatened to execute the 33-year-old freelance photojournalist if the US did not stop its air strikes in the country within three days. Somers, was abducted in September 2013.

Somers, 33, appeared in the video wearing a purple shirt, glasses and having a shaven head. He said: “I'm looking for any help that can get me out of this situation. I'm certain that my life is in danger.

“So as I sit here now, I ask if anything can be done, please let it be done. Thank you very much.”