This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30358665

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
US hostage Luke Somers dies after rescue bid US hostage Luke Somers and SA Pierre Korkie killed during Yemen rescue bid
(35 minutes later)
A US journalist held by al-Qaeda in Yemen was killed by militants during an operation to rescue him, US and Yemeni officials say. US journalist Luke Somers and another man held by al-Qaeda in Yemen have been killed by militants during a rescue attempt by US special forces.
Luke Somers was shot by his captors during a raid by US forces, a US official told the New York Times. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the hostages were "murdered by... terrorists during the mission".
His sister, Lucy Somers, told the Associated Press that she had been notified by the FBI of his death. He said there were "compelling reasons" to believe that Mr Somers's life was in danger.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel confirmed the killing and said a second, non-US hostage, also died. The second hostage has been named by a charity as South African teacher Pierre Korkie.
Yemen's defence ministry confirmed a "major operation" had taken place in Yemen's southern Shabwa province on Saturday.
Mr Somers, who was kidnapped in Yemen in 2013, had appeared in a video appealing for help.
"We ask that all of Luke's family members be allowed to mourn in peace," Lucy Somers told AP, speaking from London.
A drone strike believed to have been carried out by the US is reported to have killed nine suspected al-Qaeda militants in the region.
Mr Somers, 33, worked as a journalist and photographer for local news organisations. His material appeared on international news outlets, including the BBC News website.
He was kidnapped outside a supermarket in the Yemeni capital Sana'a in September 2013 and is believed to have been sold on to al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP).
The video of him released this week showed a member of AQAP threatening to kill Mr Somers unless unspecified demands were met.
The Pentagon confirmed that an an attempt to rescue Mr Somers last month had failed.
His family appealed in a video to al-Qaeda militants in Yemen to "show mercy" and release him.
"Luke is only a photojournalist and is not responsible for any actions the US government has taken," his brother, Jordan, said in a video.
AQAP is regarded by the US as one of the deadliest offshoots of al-Qaeda.AQAP is regarded by the US as one of the deadliest offshoots of al-Qaeda.
The group is based in eastern Yemen and has built up support amid the unrest which has beset the impoverished country since the overthrow of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011.The group is based in eastern Yemen and has built up support amid the unrest which has beset the impoverished country since the overthrow of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011.
Plea to mourn
Mr Hagel said a number of militants were also killed in the operation in Shabwa province.
"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-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists," he 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."
A US official told the New York Times that Mr Somers, 33, was apparently shot by his captors as the raid unfolded and was badly wounded when the US forces reached him.
By the time he was flown to a US naval ship in the region, he had died from his injuries, the official was quoted as saying.
Mr Somer's sister, Lucy Somers, told the Associated Press earlier that she had been notified by the FBI of his death.
"We ask that all of Luke's family members be allowed to mourn in peace," Lucy Somers told AP, speaking from London.
"We received with sadness the news that Pierre was killed in an attempt by American Special Forces, in the early hours of this morning, to free hostages in Yemen," the charity Gift of the Givers said in a statement.
Mr Somers, who was kidnapped in Yemen in 2013, appeared in a video this week appealing for help.
The footage showed a member of AQAP threatening to kill him unless unspecified demands were met.
Mr Somers worked as a journalist and photographer for local news organisations. His material appeared on international news outlets, including the BBC News website.
He was kidnapped outside a supermarket in the Yemeni capital Sana'a in September 2013 and is believed to have been sold on to al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP).
Another attempt to rescue Mr Somers last month had failed.