Failed Rescue Attempt in Somalia

Date: January 11, 2013 • Location: Qoryooley, Somalia

French special forces failed in an attempted rescue of a DGSE agent, who had been taken hostage in 2009 by al-Shabaab, in Bulo Marer, Somalia.

On 11 January 2013, the French military launched an unsuccessful operation in Bulo Marer, Lower Shabelle, Somalia to rescue French hostage Denis Allex from the Islamic militant organization al-Shabaab. Allex was executed in response, and two French commandos, at least 17 al-Shabaab militants and at least eight civilians were killed in the firefight.