MOGADISHU, Somalia — Pirates moved a U.S. hostage at least three times in 24 hours and threatened to kill him Thursday after U.S. Navy SEALs rescued an American and a Dane in a bold night raid that raises questions about whether other Western captives are now in greater danger.
“If they try again, we will all die together,” warned Hassan Abdi, a Somali pirate connected to the gang holding the American, who was kidnapped Saturday in northern Somalia. The hostage has not been identified.
“It’s difficult to hold U.S. hostages because it’s a game of chance: die or get huge money. But we shall stick with our plans and will never release him until we get a ransom,” Abdi said.
U.S. Navy SEALs parachuted into Somalia early Wednesday and hiked to where captors were holding two aid workers — 32-year-old American Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted, 60, of Denmark. A shootout ensued, and nine captors were killed.
The U.S. government said the raid was prompted by Buchanan’s deteriorating health. A French woman kidnapped by Somali gunmen died in captivity last year after not having access to her medication. Other hostages held in Somalia include a British tourist and two Spanish aid workers seized in neighboring Kenya, a French military adviser and 155 sailors of various nationalities hijacked by pirates at sea.
