Al-Qa'ida's branch in Yemen threatened an American hostage who was the
target of a rescue attempt by US Special Forces last month. In a video released
yesterday it warned Washington not to try again, and gave it three days to meet
unspecified demands.
"My life is in danger,"
photojournalist Luke Somers says in the footage, which appeared to mimic
hostage videos released by al-Qa'ida's rival, Isil.
It was the first word from the 33-year-old since he was snatched from the
streets of Sanaa more than a year ago. He had been working for nearly three
years in the impoverished Arab nation, "living as a normal Yemeni,"
said friends.
A Pentagon statement from press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby acknow-ledged
for the first time yesterday that a raid last month sought to rescue Somers but
he turned out not to be at the site.
White House spokes-woman Bernadette Meehan also said that President Obama
had authorised a rescue operation to free Somers and other hostages but
"regrettably, Luke was not present."
In the three-minute video, Somers appears sombre and gives a brief statement
in English, asking for help.
"It's now been well over a year since I've been kidnapped in
Sanaa," Somers says. "Basically, 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."
Also speaking in the video, a local al-Qa'ida commander, Nasser bin Ali
al-Ansi, denounced American "crimes" against the Muslim world, including
US-led airstrikes against Isil in Iraq and Syria.
He also condemned the rescue attempt, calling it a "foolish
action" and warned against any more such "stupidities." He
acknowledged that an "elite group of mujahedeen," or holy warriors,
were killed in the operation.
Al-Ansi gave the US three days to meet al-Qa'ida's unspecified demands or
"otherwise, the American hostage held by us will meet his inevitable
fate".
No comments:
Post a Comment