08/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU condemns al-Qaeda murders of two Westerners. On Saturday 6 December, the European Union condemned the murders of US photo-journalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie earlier that day, during a US-led rescue operation. They had been hostages of al-Qaeda in Yemen respectively since September 2013 and May 2013. Their murders are “yet another terrible example of senseless terrorist violence”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release. The spokesperson reiterated the EU's “firm commitment” and “continuing contribution” to the efforts of the international community to tackle terrorist violence in Yemen, and the broader region. (CG)