Luke Somers, a 33-year-old photojournalist, was abducted in 2013 in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, according to media reports. In a YouTube video published Wednesday, he says he is certain his "life is in danger."
The al-Qaeda operative who speaks throughout much of the video and threatens that Somers will meet his "inevitable fate" if the group's demands are not met is Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi of the Arabian Peninsula affiliate, Site Intelligence Group said. The video does not list what those demands are, but al-Ansi says Washington is "aware" of them.
"We give the American government a timeframe of three days from the issuance of this statement to meet our demands about which they are aware; otherwise, the American hostage held by us will meet his inevitable fate. We warn Obama and the American government of the consequences of proceeding ahead in any other foolish action,” AQAP OfficialL, Nasser Bin Ali Al-Ansi, said in a video published in the social site.
The video features an al-Qaeda official and a brief message from Somers – dressed in a purple shirt and with a shaved head – at the end. He notes that he was born in England but has American citizenship and lived in America for most of his life.
Luke Somers
My name is Luke Somers. I'm 33 years old. I was born in England but I carry American citizenship and have lived in America for most of my life. It's now been well over a year since I was kidnapped in Sanaa. 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, Luke Somers said.
Moreover,the al-Qaeda-linked group Ansar al-Sharia claimed responsibility for an attack Wednesday that targeted the residence of the Iranian ambassador in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.
One person was killed and 17 wounded by a car bomb detonated near the diplomat's residence, Yemeni authorities said.
"Mujahedin (holy warriors) managed to park the car bomb next to the house located near the Political Security Agency headquarters in the diplomatic quarter despite tight security," Ansar al-Sharia said in a tweet.
The Yemeni government condemned the bombing, calling it a "threat to social peace and the country's supreme interests."