US Service Member Killed in Yemen Raid

One US service member was killed and three others were wounded in an early morning surprise attack on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen. President Donald Trump called the raid—the first known military operation he authorized since taking office—a success, saying the “brave US forces were instrumental in killing an estimated 14 AQAP members and capturing important intelligence that will assist the US in preventing terrorism against its citizens and people around the world.” He also offered his “deepest thoughts and humblest prayers” to the family of the fallen, and wished for a “quick and complete recovery” for those wounded in the attack. US Central Command said a fourth US service member was injured when a “US military aircraft assisting in the operation experienced a hard landing” nearby. “That aircraft was unable to fly after the landing” and was “intentionally destroyed in place,” according to the statement. The Defense Department has not yet named the service member killed, pending next of kin notification. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our elite service members,” said CENTCOM boss Gen. Joseph Votel. “The sacrifices are very profound in our fight against terrorists who threaten innocent peoples across the globe.”