US Navy Seal commando gunned down, 3 others severely injured in Yemen
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A U.S. Special Operations service member died of injuries suffered during a weekend raid against al-Qaeda militants in Yemen, the military said Sunday.
Three other American troops, members of a Navy SEAL unit, were wounded in the operation on Saturday against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The militant organization has remained a potent threat amid an extended civil war in Yemen.
The incident marks the first time a member of the U.S. military has died in combat since President Trump took office a little more than a week ago.
The ground operation, which had been planned for months, was authorized by Trump, according to U.S. officials familiar with the mission. Trump has pledged to wage a more aggressive campaign against terrorist groups.
In a statement released by the White House, Trump called the raid “successful” and said it resulted in the capture of intelligence that would “assist the U.S. in preventing terrorism against its citizens and people around the world.”
“Americans are saddened this morning with news that a life of a heroic service member has been taken in our fight against the evil of radical Islamic terrorism,” Trump said in the statement.
