WASHINGTON — Two hostages held by Al Qaeda, including an American aid worker, were accidentally killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in January, government officials disclosed on Thursday, prompting President Obama to offer an emotional apology and assume “full responsibility” for their deaths.
The two hostages, Warren Weinstein, an American held by Al Qaeda since 2011, and Giovanni Lo Porto, an Italian held since 2012, died after the American attack on a compound in Pakistan. Officials said they had no idea that the hostages were being held there despite hundreds of hours of surveillance before the strike and that they only learned afterward that the civilians were among the casualties.
Mr. Obama came to the White House briefing room shortly after a statement was issued announcing the deaths, appearing unusually affected by the tragedy. “As president and as commander in chief, I take full responsibility for all our counterterrorism operations,” the grim-faced president told reporters. “I profoundly regret what happened,” he added. “On behalf of the United States government, I offer our deepest apologies to the families.”
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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/world/asia/2-qaeda-hostages-were-accidentally-killed-in-us-raid-white-house-says.html?_r=1
