World

DOD: American and Danish aid workers freed in Somalia

Christopher Bedford Senior Editor, The Daily Caller
Font Size:

On Tuesday evening, U.S. Special Operations Forces freed two aid workers — one American and one Dane — held hostage in Somalia. The hostages and their rescuers were unharmed in the operation, the Department of Defense reported. According to the Washington Post, nine of the suspected pirates were killed, with three unaccounted for and possibly captured.

The American, Jessica Buchanan, was employed alongside Poul Thisted by the Danish Demining Group of the Danish Refugee Council. The two were taken hostage in late October. The decision to move on Tuesday night — early Wednesday morning, local time — was made because of Buchanan’s failing health. The Associated Press reports that pirates interviewed on the scene said the guards were sleeping when Special Operations Forces attacked, and had spent the earlier hours chewing quat — a narcotic leaf popular in the region.

Both hostages have been removed to a safe location and their health is being evaluated while the military makes arrangements to get them home, the DOD statement reads.

“I am grateful that there was no loss of life or injuries to our personnel,” Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta wrote.

“I express my deepest gratitude to all the military and civilian men and women who supported this operation,” Panetta concluded. “This was a team effort and required close coordination, especially between the Department of Defense and our colleagues in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  They are heroes and continue to inspire all of us by their bravery and service to our nation.”

Follow Christopher on Twitter