American, South African hostages killed in Yemen
An American photojournalist and a South African teacher were killed Saturday during a high-risk, US-led raid to free them from al-Qaida militants in Yemen, a turbulent Arab country that is a centerpiece of US counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The raid before dawn was the second rescue attempt in as many weeks to free Luke Somers, a 33-year-old freelance photographer and editor kidnapped just over a year ago in Yemen's capital.
South African Pierre Korkie, abducted 18 months ago with his wife in the city of Tazi, also was killed by militants as US forces descended upon the militants' compound in southern Yemen. A South African aid group trying to negotiate Korkie's release said he was a day from freedom after a deal late last month that included a "facilitation fee" to the kidnappers. The relief organization had told Korkie's wife that "the wait is almost over."
