It is not a good time to be a hostage taker. The U.S> Navy SEALs rescued two hostages, including an American during a nighttime raid on Somalia.
Jessica Buchanan, 32, of America and 60-year-old Dane Poul Thistden were working with a relief organization when they were kidnapped in Somalia way back in October. The two workers were then held by “common criminals” with no known ties to any criminal groups in the area.
Navy SEALs arrived in two helicopters during the raid and as they approached the compound gunshots were exchanged and several of the hostage takers were killed.
Just as quickly as they arrived the SEALs loaded Buchanan and Thisted into helicopters and transported them to safety. Both hostages showed no signed of injury and are said to have been in relatively good condition.
At the time of their Oct. 25 kidnapping a self-proclaimed Somali pirate said the kidnapping was in response to Western nations’s efforts to stop the seizure of ships off the coast.
The first sign of a successful rescue attempt occurred on Tuesday night when President Obama entered the House of chambers for his State of the Union address and pointed at Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and said “Leion. Good job tonight. Good job tonight.”
The Navy SEALs were also involved in a successful rescue attempt that saved the lives of a group of Iranian fisherman two weeks ago. The group continues to attack and kill Somali pirates and other hostage takers who attempt to hold lives in the balance in exchange for ransom money.
It’s definitely not a good time to be a Somali pirate.
Do you think the US Navy SEALs are doing a good job against Somali pirate hostage takers?