Hostage Rescue(Last Night)

[StormILM]

Last evening, US Special Operations Forces carried out a heliborne raid into Somalia and successfully rescued two hostages, one American and one Danish citizen. There were no US casualties, 9 terrorists killed, more(possibly dozens) wounded.

[fsafranek]

And that's how we roll! :applause: :salute:
:ernae:

[Jagdflieger]

Good news that!

[Wing_Z]

There are some questions...
Like: What were these civilians doing in that particular hotspot, where life expectancy is about 10 minutes?


Also, the use of the word "terrorist" has some interesting implications.
In many countries, particularly the US, categorising a group as "terrorist" means that international aid will be cut off.
This resulted in 29,000 children starving to death in an area of Somalia largely controlled by al Shabab, a group categorised as "terrorist" by the US.
The people on the ground weren't actually terrorists at all, just unlucky enough to be living there.

In the incident mentioned in the first post, there were no "terrorists" involved, just thugs out to make a quick buck.

[Prowler1111]

There are some questions...
Like: What were these civilians doing in that particular hotspot, where life expectancy is about 10 minutes?


Also, the use of the word "terrorist" has some interesting implications.
In many countries, particularly the US, categorising a group as "terrorist" means that international aid will be cut off.
This resulted in 29,000 children starving to death in an area of Somalia largely controlled by al Shabab, a group categorised as "terrorist" by the US.
The people on the ground weren't actually terrorists at all, just unlucky enough to be living there.

In the incident mentioned in the first post, there were no "terrorists" involved, just thugs out to make a quick buck.

While i conccur with most of your post, the part i pointed out...dude, these are organized criminal organizations, since pirating is becoming less profitable (mainly because most pirates are asking for higher % of the loot due to current "work hazzards")they are stretching their legs at kidnapping..if it proves too risky (dueto "work hazzards") next phase would be "on demand" murdering, since drug smuggling is not as profitable as in other parts of the globe. IHMO.

And yes, that´s the way to roll..and keep doing so.

Best regards

Prowler

[Dain Arns]

There are some questions...
Like: What were these civilians doing in that particular hotspot, where life expectancy is about 10 minutes?

They were giving a ****.
They are relief workers for the Danish Refugee Council. http://www.drc.dk/relief-work/
Trying to get food to nearly half a million refugees in this area.
And I'm thankful there are still a small percentage of folks on this planet that do still care about others that they are willing to make the sacrifice.
Doing relief work isn't a party or a vacation. :salute:
I say kudos to them.

[redriver6]

i doubt seriously if this thread will survive the day....

leave the geopolitical analysis out and maybe it will.

[StormILM]

I hope no one drags this news piece down a political path for any reason. It's news, nothing else(at least on my part/intentions). When it comes to terrorism/hostage takers, I draw no distinction between them for their reasoning, to me anyone who uses force to hold a person or persons against their will with the threat of death is form of terrorism. It's lawlessness at one of the more pure and worst forms.

It appears that this was the work of DEVGRU(SEAL Team Six) again. Of course core information is highly classified but what has been releases indicates the team HALO jumped in near the target area under the cover of darkness and then when in close to the OP, they quickly took down the objective. The level of skill found in DEVGRU Operators is exceptional, especially in CQB and Night Ops.

As far as the two aid workers, they were working for a Demining Unit within or connected to the DRC. I happen to be connected to Demining Operations and am aware of the associated risks. Many of these humanitarian operations(including Demining Ops) have little to no security for different reasons or use local unvetted protection. They are almost constantly at risk for kidnapping or death. It's a very risky business and much of the world rarely to never hears about the good work these good people do and when bad things happen to them. At least in this case, the outcome was good and the two former hostages will go home to their families.

[Wing_Z]

Doing relief work isn't a party or a vacation
Well, it can be, and very often is... if you organise it properly.

I get much the same feeling when someone decides to paddle solo across the Pacific Ocean in a tin tub, using only a wooden spoon.
They are often hailed as brave heroes.
But: they generally get into trouble, and at huge cost have to be rescued by others, often at some risk to themselves.

A little careful consideration before embarking on a Noble Cause, can save a lot of heartache later.

[Dangerousdave26]

I hope no one drags this news piece down a political path for any reason. It's news, nothing else(at least on my part/intentions).



I agree with you but I also have the stop watch running to see how long it takes. Some people just don't think before they post in topics like this. That is why they usually get locked. Very sad when you think about it.


Well, it can be, and very often is... if you organise it properly.



Not in Somalia. I can't think of anyone short of Eric Cartman thinking it would be a paradise vacation.


A little careful consideration before embarking on a Noble Cause, can save a lot of heartache later.

I would believe anyone who is going to Somalia and other countries around the world understands those risks. They are well educated when they go out in the field. Some times you have to go where you are needed, do what needs done and allow fate to have some control. Locking yourself up where you are safe can be just as deadly as meeting the world head on.

[wombat666]

I would believe anyone who is going to Somalia and other countries around the world understands those risks. They are well educated when they go out in the field. Some times you have to go where you are needed, do what needs done and allow fate to have some control. Locking yourself up where you are safe can be just as deadly as meeting the world head on.

'Madame Wombat' is an active [too bloody active for comfort IMHO] member of Médecins Sans Frontières, aka 'Doctors without borders', and has enough sense to not object to my 'escorting' her if I think it is neccessary.
Believe me people, Somalia is not a place one visits without thinking long and hard.
Sofie would usually object to me being suitably 'tooled up' around an MSF team, this is one country that raises no such concern, provided I'm 'discreet', and purchasing the neccessary kit is easily done.
Not a place for amateurs!
:kilroy:

[Toastmaker]

The objective was to rescue the hostages - regardless of the criminal/political interests of their kidnappers.

The objective was successfully completed. End of story and congratulations to the operators.

:salute: