American hostage Luke Somers was killed by al Qaeda militants Saturday (Dec. 6) when American forces made a rescue attempt. The British-born American citizen had been serving as a photojournalist in Yemen when he was kidnapped by al Qaeda members in Sept. 2013.
President Obama condemned the Somers’ murder, and said that al Qaeda will “feel the long arm of American justice.”
The President also expressed sympathy for Somers’ family.
"On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Luke's family and to his loved ones," Obama said.
South African teacher and hostage Pierra Korkie was also shot and killed by al Qaeda terrorists during the American-led rescue attempt.
Korkie’s wife who had previously been held as a captive of al-Qaeda responded with grace.
“Today we choose to forgive,” Yolande Korkie said. “Today we choose to forgive. We choose to love. We choose to rejoice in the memories of Pierre and keep him alive in our hearts.”
Publication date: December 8, 2014
