File Photo: Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby (AP Photo)
US and Yemeni forces recently tried to rescue an American journalist being held by Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen but he and some other hostages were not there when the team arrived, the Pentagon said Thursday, confirming media reports about the operation.
"The United States attempted a rescue operation recently to free a number of hostages, including US citizen Luke Somers, held in Yemen by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula," spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement. "Some hostages were rescued, but others -- including Somers -- were not present at the targeted location."