Al-Qaeda: Scores of US deaths during failed Yemen operation

A US operation against Al-Qaeda in Yemen last week failed, Safa reported the Chief of Al-Qaeda in Yemen Qasim Al-Raymi saying.

In a recorded speech, Al-Raymi stressed that his fighters downed two American helicopters and killed and wounded tens of American soldiers.

Military officials have said that the operation was launched without enough intelligence, ground support or equipment. During the action, US Special Forces found themselves inside a fortified base for Al-Qaeda that was protected with land mines, snipers and gunmen.

Read: US soldiers shoot and kill 8-year-old girl in Yemen

The Pentagon confirmed that one helicopter was downed and the American soldiers destroyed it in order that it not end up in the hands of Al-Qaeda.

In addition, the Pentagon claimed that only one American soldier was killed in the operation, while 14 Al-Qaeda fighers were killed. On Saturday, Safa reported an Israeli news website claiming that eight American soldiers were killed during the operation.

On Wednesday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the operation had not succeeded 100 per cent but it was an opportunity to obtain a “huge amount” of intelligence about Al-Qaeda.