Navy SEALs’ Daring Rescue Of Two Hostages Held In Somalia
- Posted on January 25, 2012 at 5:43am by
Mike Opelka
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Aid workers Poul Hagan Thisted and Jessica Buchanan, rescued by American forces in Somalia. (AP)
MOGADISHU, Somalia (The Blaze/AP) — U.S. military forces flew into Somalia in a nighttime helicopter raid Wednesday, freed an American and a Danish hostage, and killed nine pirates in a mission President Barack Obama appeared to reference before his State of the Union speech, officials and a pirate source said.
The Danish Refugee Council confirmed that the two aid workers, American Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagen 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.
A U.S. official says the SEAL team that rescued the two hostages was the same unit that killed Osama bin Laden.
Obama seemed 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 Lemonnier in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the information had not been released publicly.
The timing of the raid may have been made more urgent by a medical condition. The Danish Refugee Council had been trying to work with Somali elders to win the hostages’ freedom but had found little success.
“One of the hostages has a disease that was very serious and that had to be solved,” Danish Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal told Denmark’s TV2 channel. Soevndal did not provide any more details.
Soevndal congratulated the Americans for the successful raid and said he had been informed of the action but declined to say when exactly the Danes were informed.
Panetta visited Camp Lemonnier 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.”
Ann Mary Olsen, head of the Danish Refugee Council’s international department, was the one who informed the family of Hagen Thisted of the successful military operation.
“They (the family) were very happy and incredibly relieved that it is over,” she said.
The two aid workers appear to have been kidnapped by criminals – sometimes referred to as pirates – and not by Somalia’s al-Qaida-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 and three are missing. He said the raid had been very quick and caught the guards as they were sleeping after having chewed the narcotic leaf qat for much of the evening. Qat is a stimulant but users often sleep heavily after hours of chewing.
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 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Somali town of Adado.
Maj. Kelly Cahalan, a military spokeswoman at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, said she had no information on the raid. A spokeswoman at the Pentagon had no immediate comment. U.S. military rescue operations are typically carried out by highly trained special forces.
The Danish Refugee Council had earlier enlisted traditional Somali elders and members of civil society to seek the release of the two hostages.
“We are really happy with the successful release of the innocents kidnapped by evildoers,” said Mohamud Sahal, an elder in Galkayo town, by phone. “They were guests who were treated brutally. That was against Islam and our culture … These men (pirates) have spoiled our good customs and culture, so Somalis should fight back.”
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.
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Comments (97)
FANGS
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:56amMy Brother was a Marine and I have a soft spot for our Military. But These SEALS are AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME !!!!!!!! America has one more job for You , But I cant mention it on here.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:54amI have always believed this qoute sums up American warriors.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
I agree with many of the postings. These folks should not have been there at all. I guess they believed defusing land mines is important. In my book this is a little bit better that hiking and crossing the Iranian border.
Report Post »M24
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:29amThese Top Teams are like a Precision Built Race Car, You Have To take it out and Drive It Like It Was Built For. That Team wasnt There for Just For a Rescue You Can Bet On It. Thank GOD We have These Men They are The Best Of The Best Never Forget That!! SEMPER FI
Report Post »tommy_pete
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:23amGod Bless our Military. God help the person who chooses to weaken them.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:42am@TOMMY…in your opinion….how could the military be weakened?
Report Post »Roy Baty
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:33amHow could the US military be weakened? Leon Panetta and Barack Obama.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:14amThese two people are lucky to get out of there in one piece. Good job Navy Seals and bad job to Obama to use this for his self when giving a speech. It was all for show on his part.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:02pmObama gave the green light for this mission to go ahead. No matter how much you don’t like it, that’s what went down. Deal with it.
Report Post »biffer
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:06amPlease take this crap off the blaze as it has no place in the blaze especially about our Navy Seal. The people who exploit the comments sections promoting some crappy website should find a real job…outside of their parents basement.
Report Post »The_Woodman
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:04am“the hostages flew to a U.S. military base called Camp Lemonnier in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti”
If Ron Paul were in charge we wouldn’t have a base there, or anywhere, and this mission would have been more difficult, or even impossible to pull off.
Then again, it was probably our fault that they were kidnapped right? If we followed the Golden Rule and didn’t have our soldiers kidnapping Somali citizens this would never have happened. I mean, can we blame them?
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:06amHonestly, they took the risk to go to Somalia for their aid work. That’s on them. They knew the risks, they took them, why does the American tax payer have to foot the bill for their rescue? Will the Danish company/organization be receiving a bill for this rescue? Doubt it. Are we that rich and have money gushing out of our sides that we can afford to do these rescues around the world forever?
Are the SEALs a mercenary force? Were the lives of the SEALs, the pilots and the crew chiefs on the helicopter worth risking over two civilians who put themselves in harms wary for FREE?
I applaud the SEALs, they did a great job of executing the operation with no casualties. I have much respect for them! But for those that support this action or think these kinds of actions are warranted, WE ARE FRIGGIN’ BROKE.
What part of the concept that our nation is on the brink of economic collapse don’t you understand? Maybe once we’re re-established our economy we can consider being policemen to the world (at a FEE!) but right now, we can’t afford it. If you take the risk going to a war torn, lawless part of the world, don’t expect American tax payers to pay for your rescue.
There are plenty of paid guns for hire that the Danish company/organization could have hired to rescue them. If they weren’t willing to pony up the cash to rescue them, why should the American tax payers be on the hook for it?
Report Post »Joey8
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:46am@American Soldier
“Were the lives of the SEALs, the pilots and the crew chiefs on the helicopter worth risking over two civilians who put themselves in harms wary for FREE?”
I bet if you asked the SEALs they’d say yes
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:03amAnd it’s in their nature to want to help. I commend them for that as they are the bravest of the brave.
Unfortunately, it is not up to them. Unless they are willing to go over there and rescue the hostages on their own accord and using their own cash. While they are Navy SEALs, they are paid for by the American tax payer. We are BROKE. As much as I would love to save every hostage and save every single person in this world from pain and suffering, we cannot afford to be bleeding hearts.
Like I said, there are many MANY mercenary groups out there that would have performed this operation for a fee. The danish group was unable or unwilling to pay the cash required to rescue the hostages. Why is the American military and American tax payer on the hook for the decisions of these two to spread aid to the world. They knew the risks involved and if their organization didn’t have a contingency plan to keep their workers/volunteers safe, it should rest on their heads not the American tax payer.
Report Post »Canty4Freedom
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:14amYou said that if Ron Paul were president we would not have a military base in Africa and you are correct, however the mission still could have taken place. There are two ways the mission could have been accomplished without having a base in Africa.
Report Post »1) The SEALs would have flown from Dam Neck, Virginia (where their base is) to Somalia on an A/C 130 and performed a HALO/HAHO parachute jump into the pirates base. They would then take a Chinook helicopter to an aircraft carrier.
2) The SEALs would have flown from Dam Neck, Virginia to an aircraft carrier near the horn of Africa and could then take a helicopter to Mogadishu and jump there. They would then take another helicopter back to the aircraft carrier.
GollygeeMrwilson
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:34amNail…….Head…….You hit it!!!!!
Report Post »Johann
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:00amRobinraleigh is absolutely correct; how much longer do we send our military in to rescue clueless people who insist on visiting the most dangerous places in the world? Mark Steyn once put as “vacationing in other people’s misery”; it is the compulsion of well off middle class white people to travel to dangerous war zones in order to act out their fantasies of being the saviours of mankind. They put our valuable military at risk and actually accomplish nothing. They are however in sync with the god presidenet of the New American World State who believes that everyhting exists in the narrative, in other words the made up stories for one’s self aggranizement.
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:05amSo true!
Report Post »Lee_in_PA
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:55amGOD bless the US NAVY and the SEALS.. As for why those people needed rescue in the first place. I’m going to go along with other posters who wonder why they are there in the first place. There is no limit on what people will do in the name of helping out, even when it seems to be the most stupid thing to most every one else. You want to go there.. fine by me. Just don’t expect me to come save you. And if the SEALS want to go get you.. I guess you can thank them and pay the bill.
Report Post »vnachi77
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:51amThe United States Navy SEALs are a covert Special Operations unit and SEAL team Six (DevGru) is a DOD Special Missions Unit, yet under Obama they have received more publicity than at any other time in their history. In a few months a Hollywood film will be released with active duty SEALs starring in it. Top secret intel was given to a director to make her movie of the killing of UBL more realistic. Is our nation better off and our country more secure for all this media attention of our military’s Special Operations units? I think not.
Report Post »pandora
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:35pmI agree. It‘s all for political reasons that they are bringing this info to the media and the public’s attention.
Report Post »djeffcoat
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:10pmInteresting timing, this event and Barry O’s SOTU address, don’t you think?
I wonder if they could have been rescued sooner?
Report Post »SERUM
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:50amVery uplifting to read as this, God bless our Navy Seals!
Report Post »Coralchristie
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:46amOur seals could have been sent to rescue these captives at any time. That they were sent on the day of SOTU address is political. President Clinton used things like this to his advantage too. Sad to see that this Commander in Chief will use our brave warriors for his re-election campaign and political advantage also.
Report Post »mrtinbender
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:44amabsolutely political,,,for obozo,,, we should not be wasteing time and energy into rescuesing clueless people who chose to put there bacon in danger,,,goood job seals,,bad idea obozo
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:44amLike mountain climbers, these people fulfill their desires and others pay the price. If you go to Somalia expect the worst. Why do we have to use our resources to bail these fools out… unless they are working undercover?
Report Post »Miyegombo Bayartsogt
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:29amI notice the AP story states one of the hostages had a medical condition that required the SEALS to strike on the same day Dear Leader gave his State of the Re-election Campaign before congress and thus give the President a chance at more fawning press from his media minions. It is impressive to think that even disease want’s a heroic Obama re-elected.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:42amI‘m surprised he didn’t show up for the SOFTU with camo paint on his face wearing soiled fatigues.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:14amMohamud Sahal is a freaking lier. The words and deceptions that spew so easily from the mouths of muslims is a sight to behold. It shows just how deep the deception process in embedded in the Islamic think process.
“..That was against Islam and our culture … These men (pirates) have spoiled our good customs and culture, so Somalis should fight back.”
If you believe that this muslim says these words in good faith, that he says them truthfully, then you still do not understand the Islamic mind.
Report Post »Cranky
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:11amI love stories like this and have great respect and admiration for our special forces. But,………
Report Post »while watching the lame stream news this morning it’s obvious this whole thing played out just to give Oshammer something to gloat about right after his pep rally Tuesday night. They showed the head of special forces sitting right next to big butt michelle. From the look on his face he was guilted into sitting with her. IMHO, he has a very low opinion of our current “leadership”. Embarrassing.
mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:10amA whole article about people being rescued from muslim jihadis and never a mention of the word “muslim”, “jihad”, or “Islam”.
Pretty bad writing The Blaze.
These men rescued captives from muslim jihadis who believe it is their right as muslims to engage in “booty taking” from the non-muslims.
Report Post »Miyegombo Bayartsogt
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:20amNotice the story published in the “Blaze” is an Associated Press story. AP is a subsidiary of the Obama re-election campaign and their stories are written for the glorification of their lord and master Berrick Hussian Obama. The mainstream media now work for the powers that be in the Democrat Party and their writers are all members of the misty-eyed messiah media mob.
Report Post »1956
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:07amAmerica’s finest. I have the deepest respect for these soldiers…
Report Post »Rockinphil
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:13amThe Seals are sailors. If you really want to piss them off… call them solders. Great job, Swabos”!
Report Post »wboehmer
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:07amThe Navy Seals are AWESOME!
Report Post »Miyegombo Bayartsogt
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:24amNavy Seals a now just a tool in Obama bin Biden’s re-election campaign. Remember, Dear Leader Obama “personally ordered”, the rescue like he was there personally to shoot Osama bin Laden.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:02am.
That was a waste of good money. Think about it. This PC White Guilt Obama Voting Moron and that other idiot went there on their own.
Golly Gee Wally I’m only trying to help. If you Wanna Help DON”T BREED………….
Report Post »mutslie
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:12am…..ah‘ looks like’ a JAMES BOND movie………… ‘strange how it all happened @ same time Obummer gave the Union speach? … h‘mmmmm ’a distraction?? ….
Report Post »‘he (obummer) looks like a conductor ‘conducting an opera reading the music eh’ teleprompter I mean’……. he is a ‘punce/softcock’.
jasmer
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:27amWrong answer, Spank. Re-read the article. Here’s another:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/u-s-military-raid-somalia-frees-american-dane-held-hostage-article-1.1011524
Humanitarian Progressive (frequently quite the opposite). The two hostages were part of a mine clearing op. Given Islamist behavior, I wouldn’t be surprised if the American woman was used as a party favor by the pirates. Just because THE WON did this as a political stunt doesn’t invalidate the op.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:44amThat was planned for the event.
Report Post »derekcranex
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:01amI‘m surprised that Obama didn’t require the soldiers to give the pirates their Miranda rights.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:15amNow how did we get through all the regulations to pull this off? I think we just plain broke the law by doing this! Those POOR Somali’s! Why do American’s have to go into Somalia and kill poor, stupid, ignorant, murdering, kidnapping idiot Somali’s? Why? WHY??? Oh the humanity!!
Now the bodies of these stupid, ignorant, murdering, kidnapping idiot Somali’s are stacked, rotting in the African sun, and who will take the credit? OBAMMY that’s who …
Report Post »ACIDMAK
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:37amLOL, you have the right to have your brain explode out of the back of your head!
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:55amI wonder if the dudes holding the other hostages are having second thoughts now, LOL
Report Post »ottb
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:53amMal Ad Osteo
Report Post »robinraleigh
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:12amOkay, I think this is a great story and all, but seriously, what were they doing there in the first place? How many times does this sort of thing have to happen before people realize there are just some places in the wolrd you just shouldn’t go? It‘s like sticking your head inside a lion’s mouth and then being shocked that the lion actually bit you! I mean COME ON! And then the expectation (or at least the hope) that the US military/government will come to your rescue. Just like the three moron “hikers” detained in Iran. At some point, you have to say enough is enough. If people want to be stupid, let them. But should American military personnel be put in harms way because of that stupidity? I’m not so sure anymore. Unless of course they weren’t really “aid workers” in the first place….
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 5:47amYessssssssssssssssssssssss !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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