US Special Forces Rescue Hostages From Somali Pirate Gang

United States Special Forces have rescued an American and a Danish hostage from Somalia after a shootout with pirates. This mission is an example of a rare raid into the Horn of Africa to free foreign captives. Aid workers, Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted, were kidnapped back in October in the Galmudug region, while working for the Danish De-mining Group (DDG). The FBI was also involved in the rescue.

President Barack Obama stated that this is another message to the world that America will stand strong in any threats to our people. He was heard congratulating Defense Secretary Panetta for the operation’s success as he entered the chamber to deliver his annual State of the Union address. Obama has expressed a growing concentration on the militant and piracy threats near Africa.

Military helicopters transported troops to the pirate camp, killing all nine assailants during the attack and wounding five other rebel members. The US Defense Secretary confirmed that no American soldiers were killed in the mission. The rescued hostages are now at a safe location awaiting health evaluations and a plan to return home. Danish Foreign Minister, Villy Sovndal, said that the poor health of one hostage, Jessica Buchanan, prompted Washington to take the initial action.

This was a very unusual case of pirate gang activity, as a land seizure normally never occurs. Somali pirates typically run rampant in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, and have recently been noted as maritime security’s biggest threat. Violence and ransom amounts are steadily increasing. The Galmudug region’s leader thanked American troops, as he says pirate gangs have ruined the entire region. Somalia has openly welcomed any operation against pirates in the area. Somalia’s pirates have had a harder time hijacking ships on the high seas because of the intensified naval efforts; they are increasingly turning to snatching foreigners on land.

Numerous hostages including an American journalist and sailors from South Korea, Denmark, the Philippines and India are still being held captive and officials are negotiating their freedom. After a series of abductions by Somali pirates, the U.S. has built up its military presence around Somalia in recent years, deploying surveillance drones, special operations units and ships off the coast, as part of a strategy to keep tabs on militants in the lawless country and pirates who regularly hijack ships off its coast.