US SEAL team rescues American hostage in daring West African raid

The Pentagon confirmed the rescue of 27-year-old Philip Walton, who had been kidnapped in Niger, earlier this week.

In a successful operation, US Special Forces have rescued an American hostage in a daring raid in the West African country of Niger.

US President Donald Trump had in a tweet announced that the SEAL team had secured a big win and that he would give out the details in some time. But, the Pentagon had already issued a statement by then.

The Pentagon confirmed the rescue of 27-year-old Philip Walton, who had been kidnapped in Niger, earlier this week.

Fox News reported that SEAL Team 6 carried out the operation, in which 'a number of hostiles were eliminated'.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said, "US forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men."

In a statement, Hoffman said: "This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the US Department of State. No US military personnel were injured during the operation."

"We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation. The United States will continue to protect our people and our interests anywhere in the world," he added.

According to media reports, outfits linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State have seen growing influence in Niger, and have been responsible for a number of attacks in recent months.

Walton's kidnapping came barely two months after ISIS terrorists killed six French air workers.