Al-Qaeda Affiliate In Yemen Threatens Execution of American Hostage

An Al-Qaeda affiliate group in Yemen is reportedly threatening to execute a U.K.-born American hostage being held there since 2013.

American hostage Luke Somers has recently appeared in a video created by the al-Qaeda group holding him, saying his life is in grave danger if the U.S. does not meet certain demands of the terrorist organization.

Intelligence officials have said the group behind the recent hostage video is known as al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP).

"It's now been well over a year since I've been kidnapped in Sanaa," Somers says in the video. "Basically, I'm looking for any help that can get me out of this situation. I'm certain that my life is in danger. So as I sit here now, I ask, if anything can be done, please let it be done. Thank you very much."

The video was released shortly before the National Security Council revealed that the U.S. had conducted a mission to free Somers back in November, but the mission had proved unsuccessful in freeing the American citizen.

"Regrettably, Luke was not present, though hostages of other nationalities were present and were rescued," the National Security Council said in a statement Thursday, adding that the mission had been authorized by President Barack Obama.

"As soon as the US government had reliable intelligence and an operational plan, the president authorised the department of defence to conduct an operation to recover Mr Somers," Bernadette Meehan, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, added.