Navy SEALs Rescue Two Aid Workers in Somalia in Daring Raid
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- (Image Credit: Danish Refugee Council/AP)
A U.S. special operations team of Navy SEALs rescued two aid workers in Somalia Tuesday night, including a U.S. woman who had been held hostage for three months by Somalian kidnappers and suffered from a life-threatening medical condition.
Jessica Buchanan, 32, of Bedford, Va., and Poul Hagen Thisted, 60, of Denmark, were abducted Oct. 25 by a band of Somalis while on their way to the airport in Galcayo, located in central Somalia. Both were working for the Danish Refugee Council’s Danish Demining Group, and had just finished a training course for Somalis when they were abducted.
In a statement released by the White House, President Obama said he had authorized a rescue mission Monday.
“Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our Special Operations Forces, yesterday Jessica Buchanan was rescued and she is on her way home. As Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder of the troops who carried out this mission, and the dedicated professionals who supported their efforts,” Obama said in the statement.
The president said he spoke with Buchanan’s father Monday night, “and told him that all Americans have Jessica in our thoughts and prayers, and give thanks that she will soon be reunited with her family.
“The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people, and will spare no effort to secure the safety of our citizens and to bring their captors to justice. This is yet another message to the world that the United States of America will stand strongly against any threats to our people,” he added.
Obama made no mention of the successful raid during his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, although keen observers noted an interesting exchange with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta as he entered the House Chamber.
Obama pointed to Panetta and said, “Leon. Good job tonight. Good job tonight.”
In a statement released today, Panetta said he was pleased that neither Buchanan nor Thisted was harmed during the operation. “This mission demonstrates our military’s commitment to the safety of our fellow citizens wherever they may be around the world,” he said.
Panetta described the rescue as “a team effort and required close coordination, especially between the Department of Defense and our colleagues in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. ”
The Danish Refugee Council also confirmed the rescue in a statement, saying, “The two aid workers from the Danish Refugee Council’s demining unit, DDG, are both unharmed and at a safe location.”
The rescue mission began around 2 a.m. local time as team of Navy SEALs parachuted into the area near the desert encampment where the two aid workers were being held, a U.S. official said. U.S. Africa Command said in a statement that the raid took place in the vicinity of Gadaado, Somalia.
As they approached the camp, the official said, there was a firefight and that there were no U.S. casualties. U.S. Africa Command said that the nine Somalian captors were all killed in the firefight.
After freeing Buchanan and Thisted, the military team and the aid workers left the area via helicopter and were taken to Camp Lemonier, the U.S. military base in neighboring Djibouti.
Another U.S. official says that the rescue mission was prompted by a long-standing medical condition that had worsened during Buchanan’s captivity and “it was at a point where it became life-threatening.” The official did not identify the illness.
Few aid groups continue to operate inside Somalia because of the risks involved in conducting relief operations in one of the world most dangerous countries. The country has been ravaged by conflict for the past decade and an Islamic militant extremist group known as al-Shabab has been a focus of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the country.
But, the U.S. official says, the Somalis who kidnapped Buchanan and Thisted were organized criminals and not members of al-Shabab. It’s possible they might have had ties to the pirates who operate in the waters off of East Africa prowling for commercial ships to hold for ransom, making the waters off Somalia some of the most dangerous in the world.
Buchanan joined DDG as a trainee in May 2010 and by January 2011 had become an education adviser for the group.
Andreas Camm, a spokesman for the Danish Refugee Council, told ABC News that Buchanan “has been very strong during this crisis when we have received proof of life. Our impression has been she has done very, very well and been a very, very strong person. And we were happy every time we heard of that.”
As for what kind of ransom the Somalis wanted from his group, Camm said, “We have told them, of course, that a humanitarian organization cannot pay.”
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wonder if denmark was involved and if not, why not? wonder too what the operation cost and if denmark will foot part of the tab.
Posted by: david | January 25, 2012, 8:37 am 8:37 am
Nine dead captors and all Seals and hostages healthy? Sounds like a deal. Ours are the most lethal warriors on planet Earth. Congratulations to them.
Posted by: sameagain | January 25, 2012, 8:57 am 8:57 am
David, really, you are going there? Just how much money would you have our government spend to rescue someone in your family or someone you loved? She was a U.S. citizen and I feel it is irrelevant who she was working for when captured or what country the organization was from for that matter. I personally like the position the U.S. has taken. You take one of ours, we will hunt you down. You resist, you are dead. Works for me. Go Seals!
Posted by: Catherine | January 25, 2012, 9:09 am 9:09 am
Great work from you Americans!!!!!!!!!! Well done! It makes me a happy man when a country like America shows some balls, great example for us Dutch people.
Greetings and wishing you all the best from Holland.
Bryan
Posted by: bryan | January 25, 2012, 9:17 am 9:17 am
I am so proud of our Seals!
Posted by: Librarian53 | January 25, 2012, 9:22 am 9:22 am
WOW! Go Navy Seals! They are the best of the bunch.
Posted by: carole | January 25, 2012, 9:26 am 9:26 am
Bravo! Congratulations to the Seals and thank you for your courage and sacrifice.
Posted by: Larry Mallet | January 25, 2012, 9:32 am 9:32 am
Let’s not forget that once again Islam is at the root of this violence and hostage taking. I keep hearing how it is a religion of peace but have yet to see that. When are the Islamic clerics going to denounce groups like this that will slaughter innocent people?? When?
Posted by: Seriously | January 25, 2012, 9:35 am 9:35 am
OUR NAVY SEALS FREAKIN ROCK!!!!! END OF STORY!
Posted by: Manda | January 25, 2012, 9:36 am 9:36 am
This kind of heroic act makes me proud to be an American!
Posted by: Ben | January 25, 2012, 9:38 am 9:38 am
The SEALS should be commended. The Obama administration should stop disrespecting the SEALS accomplishments by using them for a photo op.
Posted by: whathappened08 | January 25, 2012, 9:48 am 9:48 am
A reminder to would be terrorists and hostage takers…There is nowhere that our operators can not follow to deprive you of your life at anytime. You have been warned!
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2012, 9:49 am 9:49 am
Arf! Arf! (Old SEAL version of Hoorah).
Posted by: Mike Deal | January 25, 2012, 9:56 am 9:56 am
I’m glad they both made it out safely, however, it is not the responsibility of the US to invade countires to rescue American citizens, who choose to go work in or visit these unstable areas of the World. A personal choice is just that. Not one American military or government employee’s life is worth a rescue attempt for those that make poor choices in life. Sorry if I offend some, but lack of personal resposibility by some is not our issue to resolve.
Posted by: Greg | January 25, 2012, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Obama is certainly not a wimp when it comes to ordering the SEALS to kick ass around the world. The SEALS deserve to be called Super Heroes.
Posted by: Ted TampaBay | January 25, 2012, 10:03 am 10:03 am
Congratulations and gratitude to the Navy SEALS for another job well done. And to the president who approved the mission. I’m glad he isn’t trying to take credit for this one.
Once again we see people go where they have no business being and expect someone to risk their lives to get them out. There are some places that you just don’t go.
Somalia is at the top of the list allong with the rest of the Horn of Africa .
If you want to help people, there is a lot of work to do near home.
If you want a great vacation, Mexico may not be the place.
If you want to go hiking, there are better places than the Iran / Iraq border.
If you want to take a stoll in the city after dark, you might want to aviod Washington DC.
If you want to ride a jet ski, the south side of Falcon Lake is not advisable.
If you want to go to any of those places you might want to look up Darwin Award before you go. Then call Bill Engvall and ask for a sign.
To put is simply in terms idiots like that may understand: DUH!
I’m glad you survived, glad you’re on the way home. I hope like hell you learned something and others can learn by your bad example.
Posted by: cloud | January 25, 2012, 10:04 am 10:04 am
TO: WhatHappened08, what photo ops? The SEALS do their work anonymously.
TO: Seriously, I doubt the the hostage takers were anything more than opportunistic desperadoes trying to make a quick buck.
Posted by: Ted TampaBay | January 25, 2012, 10:15 am 10:15 am
more shameless use of our military for political points, perfectly timed with the sotu, must be nice to have seals rescue prisoners coming down with the sniffles, hey biden aren’t they exciting to watch, takes your breath away like a roller coaster ride. can’t wait till the next need for political points and see what they can do next – perhaps rescue the economy ?
Posted by: jim | January 25, 2012, 10:17 am 10:17 am
SEALs absolutely ROCK!
I’m mighty glad the hostages are safe and sound, and that our folks escaped unscathed. As for the bad guys, tough sh*t.
Posted by: Mekhong Kurt | January 25, 2012, 10:18 am 10:18 am
Once again, while giving a speech, the president has done something good without taking credit. Many will say…these people did not belong there….you are right. Many will say…too much money. But, if it were your daughter or relative…you would not be saying these things. This woman was ill and needed medical assistance or she might die. Just how do you think this would play had she died and we made no effort to save her? Republicans would sure have a field day with that. Sometimes we need to put the money factor aside and do what is right and christian. What I find interesting is that those who talk religion the most, are the very ones complaining. To those who say this president does not have the guts to do things….Osama Bin Laden thought so also. He has shown over and over that he is not a reactionary president…he is a thinking president and he does not have to stand before a crowd and brag or on a ship with a “we won” banner….he just quietly assesses the situation and gets it done. Let’s just thank the navy seals and move on…..
Posted by: talmag | January 25, 2012, 10:27 am 10:27 am
Why would a woman with a “pre-existing” medical condition want to work in a country with no western medical centers to treat her issues? Why would this organization allow her to go? She put our American military men and women in harms way. I wouldn’t doubt when she hits US soil, her first statement will be, “I stand with the Occupy people” like those idiot hikers held in Iran.
Posted by: Wesley | January 25, 2012, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Talmag is right on with everything said. It matters not what this President does, he will be criticized. Too bad some can’t get past their bias to give credit where credit is due. Great job! Go Seals!
Posted by: John Small | January 25, 2012, 10:45 am 10:45 am
Those of you here from the always outraged right COMPLAINING about everything that our GREAT President has done, you’ve all got a real problem. Sour GRAPES has been your sole diet since January 2009!!! No wonder you always seem so SICK!
Posted by: demNme5 | January 25, 2012, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Obama-bashers will not, of course, attribute any of this to him. As they have similarly dismissed the other military interventions in behalf of America and its citizenry. The three pirates who were shot dead on the spot, Bin Laden, others…… Instead, they’ll obsess over a social gesture such as bowing in Japan, ranting that America has lost its prestige as a result. Fact are useless; we tend to retain what fits our beliefs, and to dismiss what does not fit.
Posted by: Steve | January 25, 2012, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Good job, USA.
Posted by: wkph | January 25, 2012, 10:56 am 10:56 am
The SEALS should be commended. The Obama administration should stop disrespecting the SEALS accomplishments by using them for a photo op.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
LMAO…you mean like when he landed on the deck of the carrier? Oh wait that was the other guy…what’s his name…Shrubby jr or something like that?
Posted by: tibertrom13 | January 25, 2012, 11:08 am 11:08 am
24 January 2012
Memorandum:
From: SEAL TEAM SIX
… To: Somali Pirate Gang
Subject: Recent Hostage Rescue
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
You’re DEAD!!!
Sincerely: SEAL TEAM SIX
Posted by: RonMexico | January 25, 2012, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Glad that hostage takers all died. Jessica should never have gone to Somalia in the first place to endanger the lives of our deal Navy Seals.
Posted by: Manisankar | January 25, 2012, 11:18 am 11:18 am
I am glad that these two aid workers are safe and kudos to the brave Seals team who carried out the rescue …. however, most of you praising the president for giving this order would be condemning just about any other president who ordered our military to go into a sovereign country and kill nine people in an effort to rescue two people who had made a personal choice to go into a volatile, war-torn country well aware of the risks and dangers. No doubt these humanitarian efforts are well-intentioned, but even good intentions sometimes produce negative outcomes – in this case nine people are dead, two people were held hostage for months and the American military spent untold millions on the rescue effort. It sends the message loud and clear that we believe the lives of two non-Somalis are worth more than the lives of nine Somalies. When countries like Somalia refuse to protect the safety of foreign aid workers, it’s time to abandon any aid to those countries – difficult as it is. And even the most well intentioned of aid workers need to make their own personal safety a priority. There are better, safer ways to get aid to these countries without risking the lives of Americans or Europeans – and the humanitarian agencies need to do better at protecting their people.
Posted by: missy me | January 25, 2012, 11:20 am 11:20 am
Listen folks, let’s stop with the constant whining and see this for what it is. Our brave men and women serving our country put their lives on the line every day so that even the most nitwitted among us can enjoy the freedom they have even posting derogatory BS. This Navy Seal team doesn’t pick the politics behind their mission. They go out and take care of business like true professionals, true heros, and true Americans, something many among us fail to see because of their political poison. This mission wasn’t planned according to the politics of the day, who said what, and who gets the credit. They truly should be the model for all of us of what true America are all about. I am extremely proud of them. Their courage, their precision, and the results cannot be argued or questioned. And for those that inject their ugly political poison, understand this if nothing else…regardless of who our President may be, he is the Commander In Chief of our armed services, he is the one that makes that final decision that puts these fine men and women in peril and in the line of fire. It is not a decision made lightly or for the politics of the day. Let’s be Americans for once and applaude all those that were involved for a job well done.
Posted by: jake | January 25, 2012, 11:38 am 11:38 am
Obama kicking Ass again. If this doesn’t show the American people what Obama’s all about, nothing will. Truly American Heros, the Navy Seals. I’m sure Obama authorized it, kickin ass & takin names……
Posted by: deb | January 25, 2012, 11:57 am 11:57 am
The nerve or our duly elected president! How dare he act as commander in chief and applaud the service of the Navy Seals on yet another successful mission! How dare he! (Do you wing-nuts ever listen to yourselves? Because that’s how you sound to normal people.)
Posted by: AppeaseThis | January 25, 2012, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
just like he said about killing binladen. the armed forces are a team thatv overlooks differences among them, to come together for a common bond, WHAT WE COULD LEARN FROM THEM?????
Posted by: deb | January 25, 2012, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
Obama is one ballsy president. I have to say, when it comes to foreign policy, Obama rocks.
Posted by: Not UR Average Joe | January 25, 2012, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
“When are the Islamic clerics going to denounce groups like this that will slaughter innocent people?? When?” Posted by: Seriously | January 25, 2012, 9:35 am 9:35 am — Several have, on more than one occasion. You should “seriously” start listening to more than what you want to hear.
Posted by: mythoughts57 | January 25, 2012, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
It’s amazing how the Obama haters can’t just say “good job Navy Seals”, they have to use a good moment for OUR country as just another venue to spew hate. President Obama DID NOT grandstand this rescue. We know you hate him, most Americans are tired of hearing it.
Posted by: dan | January 25, 2012, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Do not get me wrong, DEVGRU is an elite unit, but when it comes to hostage rescues, there is only one unit that is above the rest, and that is The Unit (aka 1st SFOD-D). The VP never said it was SEALS he said it was Special Op Forces. The media is the one that always puts names on these types of operations and they do not know crap. The Unit will never take credit on operations they do and let others take credit. Most likely, it was a joint operation between the tier one counter-terrorism units. All in all, a nice job well done.
Posted by: Dave | January 25, 2012, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
To think how the Bush Administration had so many people bamboozled regarding their LIES that THEY were the only party that could “Keep America Safe”!! Such BULL, but what would anyone expect? Obama has run circles around the right in foreign policy and he IS doing the SAME in the USA but the LIARS on the right keep on repeating that Obama has done Nothing, Screwed up everything and is a failure. They are SO WRONG but what else is New?
Posted by: demNme5 | January 25, 2012, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
Boom Headshot
Posted by: Bill | January 25, 2012, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Kudos to our forces! I wish people would stop making everything in our country into a “us versus them” mentality. I remember a time when we were all just Americans! Awesome job to our forces. Keep up the good work behind the scenes.
Too bad they can’t be assigned to our border to keep out the un-Americans.
Posted by: SashasMum | January 25, 2012, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
Hey, Seriously, you are some kind of a moron. The Somali kidnappers were not Muslim terrorists. They were part of organized crime. try reading the article next time.
Posted by: Sam Keller | January 25, 2012, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
Obama is not the story here. Good for both aid workers for trying to help a needy country; and good for our special operations for going to get them when trouble found them. Not many things make me proud of our country recently. This story did. I’m thankful that only the bad guys were hurt. A take home message? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you perhaps?
Thank you for your service gentlemen.
Posted by: Bradley | January 25, 2012, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
It’s a wonder that these men and women of the armed forces come back like lunatics when the media feels it is ok to publicize them as killers.
Posted by: vidal | January 25, 2012, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
These two aid workers gave their time and skills to help a country that was not their own. Certain groups within that community decided that their fellow countrymen and women should not receive any help other than that specifically determined by a certain religious agenda and bios, for these people would rather destroy in the name of their god than receive the offering of peace, the hands of mercy, that these two brave souls extended.
Good on you America. You sent your finest to deliver your own from the clutches of a despicable mindset. Good on you Mr President for taking a stand and acting in the interest of your citizens in their time of need. Grand work, for those that were ready and able to get the job done and return home with their prize. I have no barrow to push as I am not an American but I can appreciate the determination and commitment that this group displayed.
America you have a right to be proud!!!!
Posted by: Rakau | January 25, 2012, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
Nice job seals! Makes me proud to be an American. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Yogi bear | January 26, 2012, 12:30 am 12:30 am
sorry not buying it.
If some clueless do-gooder wants to go to some third world country and insert herself it’s her risk and her problem.
A Navy seal is worth too much to waste on someone who puts herself in such a compromising position.
If they just did it for training purposes I get ti but I just don’t see why they should risk their lives or we should risk such a valuable asset to go recover some lady who’s clueless and just going to reinsert herself in that environment again anyway.
Posted by: joe | January 26, 2012, 12:42 am 12:42 am
Makes me want to kiss my autistic service horse and go batspit with joy.
Posted by: Spectre | January 26, 2012, 1:04 am 1:04 am