Obama confirms US involvement in Somalia hostage rescue atte

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President Barack Obama confirmed on Sunday that the United States helped France last week during an attempted rescue of a secret agent captured by insurgents in Somalia.

The French team was trying to free Denis Allex, who has been held since 2009 by al-Qaida-linked al Shabaab, but insurgents apparently killed their hostage during the raid, along with a commando. The French defence ministry said 17 Somali fighters died in the fight.

In a letter to Congress, Obama said: "United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation."

The president sent the letter to fulfill his obligations under the war powers resolution, which requires him to inform policymakers within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action without congressional authorisation.

Obama said the operation was warranted in order to further US national security interests and said US forces "took no direct part in the assault on the compound where it was believed the French citizen was being held hostage".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/ja ... ue-attempt