A daring raid by U.S. and Yemeni forces into an al Qaeda stronghold in Yemen freed eight hostages , but not before kidnappers stole away with some Westerners , including an American . The raid took place Monday , according to an American official and information posted on a Yemini website associated with the country 's Defense Ministry . The mission was planned after al Qaeda militants were seen transferring hostages `` chained and covered with blankets '' into pickups that were driven to a cave about 68 miles ( 109 kilometers ) from Hajir al-Saiyer , according to the website . The intelligence included that there were foreigners among the hostages , so `` a plan was established in order to raid the cave , '' according to the Yemeni government account of the operation . The details were attributed to a Yemeni special forces member who was on the raid . The troops , equipped with advanced weapons , including night vision equipment , launched the mission about 4 miles from the cave , according to the Yemeni government . The kidnappers were found about 100 yards from the cave , and `` clashes erupted '' soon , according to the account provided by the special forces member . All seven kidnappers were killed . The special forces troops found eight hostages chained up . They told the rescue team that two days earlier , kidnappers had moved five others , including an American , a Briton , a South African and a Yemeni . The fifth was believed to be a Turkish citizen . While the Yemeni version does not mention U.S. involvement , an American official confirmed to CNN that U.S. Special Forces were part of the raid team . CNN learned of the American involvement this week but , at the request of the government , did not report the information as there was a search for the American hostage .
Militants were seen moving hostages `` chained and covered with blankets '' into pickups . They were driven to a cave , a website associated with Yemen 's Defense Ministry says . The mission , launched 4 miles from the cave , killed all 7 kidnappers , Yemen says . But former hostages say five other captives were moved before rescuers arrived .