The Yemeni account did not mention the U.S. Special Forces , but a U.S. official confirmed their participation . A U.S. and Yemeni special forces raid last week took hostages but not the American . Luke Smith is a photojournalist who was captured in January 2013 . Special forces conducted the raid , when AQAP militants were still transferring hostages . The militants had split the hostages into two groups two days before the raid .
A U.S. and Yemeni special forces raid last week took hostages but not the American . Luke Smith is a photojournalist who was captured in January 2013 . Special forces conducted the raid , when AQAP militants were still transferring hostages . The militants had split the hostages into two groups two days before the raid .