U.S. military forces helicoptered into Somalia in a nighttime raid Wednesday and freed two hostages, an American and a Dane, while killing nine pirates., U.S. officials confirm.
The Danish Refugee Council also confirmed the two aid workers, American Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagan Thisted, were freed "during an operation in Somalia."
Buchanan, 32, and Thisted, 60, had been working with a de-mining unit of the Danish Refugee Council when they were kidnapped in October.
President Obama confirmed the operation and rescue early Wednesday in a statement. He said the operation serves as yet another message to the world that the U.S. "will stand strongly against any threats to our people."
"Jessica Buchanan was selflessly serving her fellow human beings when she was taken hostage by criminals and pirates who showed no regard for her health and well-being," he said. "As Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder of the troops who carried out this mission, and the dedicated professionals who supported their efforts."
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta also praised the mission early Wednesday, saying the operation was a "team effort" between multiple departments.
"This successful hostage rescue, undertaken in a hostile environment, is a testament to the superb skills of courageous service members who risked their lives to save others," he said.
The president appeared to refer to the mission before his State of the Union address in Washington Tuesday night. As he entered the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol, he pointed at Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in the crowd and said, "Good job tonight."
A Western official told The Associated Press that the raid was carried out by U.S. military forces. A second official said the helicopters and the hostages flew to a U.S. military base called Camp Lemonier in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information had not been released publicly.
Panetta visited Camp Lemonier just over a month ago, A key U.S. ally in this region, Djibouti has the only U.S. base in sub-Saharan Africa. It hosts the military's Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
The Danish Refugee Council said both freed hostages are unharmed "and at a safe location." The group said in a separate statement that the two "are on their way to be reunited with their families."
The two aid workers appear to have been kidnapped by criminals, sometimes referred to as pirates, and not by Somalia's Al Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabab. As large ships at sea have increased their defenses against pirate attacks, gangs have looked for other money making opportunities like land-based kidnappings.
A pirate who gave his name as Bile Hussein said he had spoken to pirates at the scene of the raid and they reported that nine pirates had been killed. A second pirate who gave his name as Ahmed Hashi said two helicopters attacked at about 2 a.m. at the site where the hostages were being held about 12 miles north of the Somali town of Adado.
The Danish Refugee Council had earlier enlisted traditional Somali elders and members of civil society to seek the release of the two hostages. The two were seized in October from the portion of Galkayo town under the control of a government-allied clan militia. The aid agency has said that Somalis held demonstrations demanding the pair's quick release.
Their Somali colleague was detained by police on suspicion of being involved in their kidnapping.
The two hostages were working in northern Somalia for the Danish Demining Group, whose experts have been clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East.
Several hostages are still being held in Somalia, including a British tourist and two Spanish doctors seized from neighboring Kenya, and an American journalist kidnapped on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Good on them
Posted by: MINDY1 | January 25, 2012 at 11:23 AM
While most young Americans sit back and play video games about SEALs and black ops, these guy live it out! So very thankful for these brave men!
Posted by: Marine Plaques | January 26, 2012 at 08:49 AM
The Good Guys come through again, but I'm bothered about how much they're being exploited, & why.
http://plbirnamwood.blogspot.com/2012/02/seal-team-6-as-campaign-slogan.html
Posted by: Darkwater | February 07, 2012 at 05:06 PM
Darkwater, its all about trying to associate oneself with heroes. If you aren't one, stand behind one and stick your head up to be recognized- you might accidentally get a few fools to think you are one of them. Its also the "Oh, they answer to ME!" bravado. But you know that, of course. I am SO grateful for, and proud of, our military folks! I cannot say the same for the CIC and its people right now. The pollies all know it, but that slows their stuff down not one whit. It bothers me, too, and it is so pathetic. They just angrily add my old name to their nasty-list and plough on. They have a goal to achieve. WE are under takeover, and it breaks my heart! (just my opine)
Posted by: bumpkin | February 09, 2012 at 07:02 PM