TT On-The-Go
TT Feed
| U.S. forces participated in botched French rescue op in Somalia: Obama |
|
 |
 |
Font Size 
On Friday night, Somali al-Shabab militants killed one French commando involved in the botched operation to rescue Denis Allex, who was taken hostage in Somalia about three and a half years ago.
At least five French helicopters and 50 troops were involved in the air raid on a house in the town of Bulomarer, nearly 110 kilometers (70 miles) south of the Somali capital Mogadishu.
"United States forces provided limited technical support to the French forces in that operation, but took no direct part in the assault on the compound where it was believed the French citizen was being held hostage," U.S. President Barack Obama said in a letter to Congress, AFP reported.
"United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed," Obama wrote, adding that "these aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation."
The U.S. president stated that American forces, which participated in the operation, left Somalia by about 8:00 p.m. EST Friday (0100 GMT Saturday).
"I directed U.S. forces to support this rescue operation in furtherance of U.S. national security interests," Obama wrote.
On Saturday, al-Shabab said the hostage is alive.
"(Denis) Allex still remains safe and far from the location of the battle," al-Shebab militants said at a news release. "As a response to this botched rescue operation by the French forces, (al-Shebab) assures the French people that it will give its final verdict regarding the fate of Denis Allex within two days."
French defense ministry, however, said the secret agent was killed by the militants. "During the assault, violent combat took place. Denis Allex was killed by his captors."
The ministry added that some 17 militants were also killed in the incident.
In June 2010, Allex, who is among nine French captives in Africa, appeared in a video and requested Paris to withdraw its support for the government of Somalia.
He last appeared in a video clip in October 2012 and pleaded with French President Francois Hollande to negotiate his release and save his life.
  Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
|
|||
.jpg "This undated TV grab of footage by Al-Kataib Media shows Denis Allex, a French agent held by Somali militants.")