(CNN) — A US servicemember died of wounds suffered during a raid in Yemen against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), US Central Command announced Sunday, Jan. 29.Three other servicemembers were wounded in the raid.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our elite servicemembers,” said Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. Joseph Votel. “The sacrifices are very profound in our fight against terrorists who threaten innocent peoples across the globe.”
Central Command said a US military aircraft assisting in the operation experienced a hard landing at a nearby location, resulting in an additional US injury. That aircraft was unable to fly after the landing. The aircraft was then intentionally destroyed in place. The operation resulted in an estimated 14 AQAP members being killed and the capture of information that will likely provide insight into the planning of future terror plots.
A US defense official says this operation was authorized by President Donald Trump.
