Obama on Hostages Killed by U.S.: ‘I Want To Express Our Grief and Condolences’

“This morning I want to express our grief and condolences to the families of two hostages, one American, Dr. Warren Weinstein, and an Italian Giovanni Lo Porto, who were tragically killed in a U.S. counter terrorism operation. Warren and Giovanni were aid workers in Pakistan devoted to improving the lives of Pakistani people.

After Warren was abducted by al Qaeda in 2011, I directed my national security team to do everything possible to find him and bring him home safely to his family. And dedicated professionals across our government worked tirelessly to do so. We also worked closely with our Italian allies on behalf of Giovanni who was kidnapped in 2012. 

Since 9/11, our counter terrorism efforts have prevented terrorist attacks and saved innocent lives both here in America and around the world. That determination to protect innocent life only makes the loss of these two men especially painful for all of us. 

Based on information and intelligence we have obtained, we believe that a U.S. counter terrorism operation targeting an al Qaeda compound in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region accidentally killed Warren and Giovani this past January.

Yesterday I spoke with Warren’s wife, Elaine, and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy.”