American Hostage Luke Somers Killed In failed Rescue Attempt

British born US hostage, Luke Somers, has been killed in a failed rescue attempt in Yemen, according to his sister.

Lucy Somers told the Associated Press she had learned of her brother’s death from FBI agents.

“We ask that all of Luke’s family members be allowed to mourn in peace,” Ms Somers reportedly said.

However, Yemen’s defence ministry said it had freed a US hostage during an armed operation in which 10 al Qaida militants were killed.

Mr Somers was abducted by al Qaida last September in the capital, Sana’a.

Militants released a video this week threatening to kill him if their demands were not met.

The 33-year-old appeared in the footage saying he feared for his life.

This week, the Pentagon confirmed it launched an earlier raid to rescue him – but that it failed.

They claimed the mission – approved by President Barack Obama and carried out by joint US-Yemen forces – led to the rescue of several hostages but that Mr Somers was not present at the location.

Reports of his death today came just hours after his sister released a YouTube video asking his captors to show mercy.