American Hostage Murdered During Failed Rescue Attempt in Yemen

YEMEN- Al Qaeda has killed 2 Western hostages during an attempted rescue mission.

American Hostage Luke Somers has been killed by Al Qaeda Militants in Yemen during a raid by U.S. forces to rescue him from captivity.

A South African Captive was also killed in the raid.

The rescue attempt came after a video of somers was released earlier this week by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

The U.S. was given 3 days to comply with unspecified demands and that time was due to run out.

President Obama offered condolences to Somer's family in a statement released Saturday and issued a warning for terrorists holding other American Hostages.

"The Unites States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of Luke Somers... Terrorists who seek to harm our citizens will feel the long arm of American Justice," Obama stated.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel echoed that statement.

"This is further evidence of America's continued committment to always find its.. American Hostages no matter where they are and make every effort to get those hostages returned."

Somers was a photojournalist working in Yemen when he was captured. 

He had been held for 15 months.

Friday's raid was the second attempt to rescue Somer's in as many weeks.

In the latest raid, a team of Navy Seals and a combat medical team were transported near Somer's location but lost the element of surprise as they approached the compound. 

U.S. Officials believe one of the militants ran inside the compound and shot the hostages after the firefight started.