US launched rescue on news hostage’s life was in danger

US president Barack Obama has said that he authorised the attempt to rescue hostage Luke Somers in Yemen because the US had information that the British-born photojournalist’s life was in imminent danger.

Shortly before the White House statement, Yemen’s national security chief said militants had planned to kill Somers. On Thursday, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula posted a video online threatening to kill the US citizen.

Authorities said Somers, 33, who was kidnapped in September 2013, and South African teacher Pierre Korkie, died in the rescue operation that Obama said was conducted by US forces in partnership with Yemen’s government.