The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling for all journalists to “rally to continue the work of our fallen colleagues,” following the murder of American freelance photojournalist Luke Somers in Yemen.
Somers and fellow hostage Pierre Korkie were killed during a failed rescue attempt by U.S. special forces early this morning. The two were being held by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Somers was adducted in Sept. 2013.
“Luke Somers went to Yemen to bring us the news. Instead he became the news at the hands of militants who increasingly use journalists as pawns in a murderous political game,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “As journalists we must rally to continue the work of our fallen colleagues, to seek justice in their names, and to protect all those who go out in the field every day despite the danger.”
Somers is the third American freelance journalist killed this year while being held captive. In August, James Foley was beheaded by ISIS militants. Two weeks later, ISIS killed Steven Sotloff.