U.S. Special Forces Rescue an American and a Danish Hostage being Held by Pirates in Somalia – Video Report 1/25/12

U.S. Special Forces have freed an American and a Danish hostage being held by pirates in Somalia:

WASHINGTON POST: President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised U.S. Special Operations Forces who rescued two hostages, including an American aid worker, from pirates in Somalia during an early morning raid.

Obama said Jessica Buchanan, an American aid worker with the Danish Refugee Council, is “on her way home.” Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagen Thisted were kidnapped at gunpoint by Somali pirates in October.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I could not be prouder of the troops who carried out this mission, and the dedicated professionals who supported their efforts,” Obama said in a statement.

Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the top secret operation, said the operation was carried out by U.S. Navy SEALs.

In a separate statement, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Buchanan and Hagen Thisted “have been transported to a safe location where we will evaluate their health and make arrangements for them to return home.” He said the two hostages were not harmed during the operation, and no U.S. troops were killed or injured. . . . Read More