Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni wing, Al Qaeda on the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP), has threatened in a new video to kill a British-born American photojournalist in three days if the US does not meet the jihadist group’s demands.
In the 3-minute video, a copy of which has been obtained by the
SITE Intelligence Group that tracks Islamist terrorist groups, a
man identifies himself as Luke Somers, a 33-year-old
photojournalist for the Yemen Times who was kidnapped more than a
year ago in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
“Basically, I'm looking for any help that can get me out of
this situation,” Somers says. “I'm certain that my life
is in danger. So as I sit here now, I ask if anything can be
done, please let it be done. Thank you very much.”
Somers could be one of the hostages US Special Operations
commandos and Yemeni troops were trying to rescue a week ago.
Eight hostages were then freed, but five others, including a
British citizen and an American journalist, were moved elsewhere
by the jihadists ahead of the operation.
READ MORE: Al-Qaeda escapes US Special Forces
raid in Yemen with British, American hostages
The video with Somers also features a message by AQAP’s leader,
Nasser bin Ali Al-Ansi, who says the hostage will be killed in
three days "after the issuance of this statement" if
Washington fails to meet the group's demands.
An upcoming video from AQAP obtained by SITE shows American hostage Luke Somers http://t.co/Zm27d614tbpic.twitter.com/sv7Z49VLtq
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) December 4, 2014
“We warn Obama and the American government of the
consequences of proceeding ahead in any other foolish
action,” Al-Ansi says.
The demands were not specified in the video.
Kidnappings of foreigners have lately been on the rise in Yemen,
home to Al-Qaeda’s most active branch, according to Washington.
To counter AQAP, the US has been training Yemen's military
on-the-ground and launching drone
attacks on the militants.
Journalists have been particularly targeted by the extremists of
the Islamic State group, which Al-Qaeda disavowed earlier this
year for its brutal tactics, among other things.
US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were beheaded by
Islamic State earlier this year, while British journalist John
Cantile remains
an ISIS hostage.