In this Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 photo, Luke Somers, 33, an American photojournalist who was kidnapped over a year ago by al-Qaida, poses for a picture during a parade marking the second anniversary of the revolution in Sanaa (Photo:AP)
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Saturday confirmed that US journalist Luke Somers was killed by militants during an operation aimed at freeing him from Al-Qaeda kidnappers in Yemen.
"US Special Operations Forces conducted a mission in Yemen to rescue a US citizen, Luke Somers, and any other foreign nationals held hostage with him by Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists," Hagel said in a statement released during a visit to Kabul.
"Both Mr. Somers and a second non-US citizen hostage were murdered by the AQAP terrorists during the course of the operation."
Lucy Somers, the sister US journalist Luke Somers told the Associated Press that she and her father learned that her 33-year-old brother died from FBI agents at 0500 GMT (12 a.m. EST) Saturday.
There was no immediate comment from Washington, nor from security officials in Yemen's capital, Sanaa.
"We ask that all of Luke's family members be allowed to mourn in peace," Lucy Somers said from London.
Reuters had reported earlier that journalist Luke Somers was wounded Saturday during an operation by US and Yemeni forces to free him from Al-Qaeda militants but his fate was unclear.
"American soldiers carried away the hostage. He was wounded and we don't know if he is dead or alive," the Yemeni official had told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Sommers, was kidnapped more than a year ago in Sanaa.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on Thursday threatened the imminent execution of Somers, as AFP reported.
This story was edited by Ahram Online
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