Obama: US Lent Supporting Role In Attempted Somalia Hostage Rescue

By dave-dr-gonzo with comments January 14, 2013 08:54

Full disclosure:

President Barack Obama confirmed on Sunday that the United States helped France last week during an attempted rescue of a secret agent captured by insurgents in Somalia.

 The French team was trying to free Denis Allex, who has been held since 2009 by al-Qaida-linked al Shabaab, but insurgents apparently killed their hostage during the raid, along with a commando. The French defence ministry said 17 Somali fighters died in the fight.

In a letter to Congress, Obama said: “United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation.”