U.S. Navy SEALs Free Two Hostages, Killing NINE Somalia Kidnappers in Process

U.S. Navy file photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Anthony Harding

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* USA Today had the following AP report posted up on their website early this Wednesday morning and it starts off like this… U.S. Navy SEALs parachuted into Somalia under cover of darkness early Wednesday and crept up to an outdoor camp where an American woman and Danish man were being held hostage. Soon, nine kidnappers were dead and both hostages were freed… President Obama himself authorized the mission two days earlier, and minutes after he gave his State of the Union address to Congress he was on the phone with the American's father to tell him his daughter was safe…

Read the full report at link below…

U.S. military raid in Somalia frees American, Dane

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This news video posted on the web by AP

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SECDEF Releases Statement on Hostage Rescue Operation in Somalia

Release Date: Wednesday morning - 1/25/2012 -- From the Department of Defense

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  WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta released the following statement Jan. 25 regarding the hostage rescue operation in Somalia:

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  Last night U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted, by order of the President of the United States, a successful mission in Somalia to rescue two individuals taken hostage on October 25, 2011. Ms. Jessica Buchanan, an American citizen employed by the Danish Demining Group, and her Danish colleague, Mr. Poul Thisted, were kidnapped at gunpoint by criminal suspects near Galcayo, Somalia.

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  Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted have been transported to a safe location where we will evaluate their health and make arrangements for them to return home.

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  This successful hostage rescue, undertaken in a hostile environment, is a testament to the superb skills of courageous service members who risked their lives to save others. I applaud their efforts, and I am pleased that Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Thisted were not 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.

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  I am grateful to report that there was no loss of life or injuries to our personnel.

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  I express my deepest gratitude to all the military and civilian men and women who supported this operation. 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.

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I do not say this often but on this one… GOOD JOB Mr. President!

I could not be prouder of all those involved but mostly of those brave men that carried out this mission so successfully. You guys are just, AWESOME!

You Make Our Nation Proud!

AubreyJ………

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