Two French commandos were killed during a daring raid Friday night to rescue a French soldier held hostage in Somilia. The captive soldier, Denis Allex, was also killed in the ensuing battle, the French defense ministry said.
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The raid also resulted in the death of 17 Somali fighters, according to the defense ministry.
“Faced with the intransigence of the terrorists, who refused to negotiate for three and a half years and who were holding Denis Allex in inhumane conditions, an operation was planned and carried out,” the ministry said. “During the assault, violent combat took place.”
The raid came as French sent a force into the African nation of Mali to help the government beat back advances by Islamic rebels. The Somali raid to get Mr. Allex led to speculation that the French government was trying to prevent reprisals for its actions in Mali.
The Associated Press reported that an official with the Somali militant group al-Shabab confirmed that fighting began after helicopters dropped off soldiers.
“Five helicopters attacked a house in in the town. They dropped soldiers off the ground, so that they could reach their destination,” the official said.
In 2009, a French raid to free a yacht that had been captured by Somali pirates resulted in the death of a captive, Florent Lemaçon.
[h=4]Connect With Us on Twitter[/h]Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines.
Twitter List: Reporters and Editors
The raid also resulted in the death of 17 Somali fighters, according to the defense ministry.
“Faced with the intransigence of the terrorists, who refused to negotiate for three and a half years and who were holding Denis Allex in inhumane conditions, an operation was planned and carried out,” the ministry said. “During the assault, violent combat took place.”
The raid came as French sent a force into the African nation of Mali to help the government beat back advances by Islamic rebels. The Somali raid to get Mr. Allex led to speculation that the French government was trying to prevent reprisals for its actions in Mali.
The Associated Press reported that an official with the Somali militant group al-Shabab confirmed that fighting began after helicopters dropped off soldiers.
“Five helicopters attacked a house in in the town. They dropped soldiers off the ground, so that they could reach their destination,” the official said.
In 2009, a French raid to free a yacht that had been captured by Somali pirates resulted in the death of a captive, Florent Lemaçon.