American journalist Luke Somers, who was killed in Yemen during a failed raid to free him from his Al-Qaeda kidnappers, said his work was driven by an urge to document the lives of regular people.
He traveled to the Red Sea nation two years ago with ambitions to teach, but the amateur photographer soon picked up a camera, capturing images in the streets of Sanaa as political turmoil boiled over during 2012 national elections.
The 33-year-old worked as a freelance photographer for the BBC and also spent time at local newspapers, including the Yemen Times, as an editor and translator before he was snatched off the streets of Sanaa over a year ago.
Somers said sharing stories of regular Yemenis informed his work, which often featured everyday people, whether at a political rally, in a hospital or while spending time with handicap activists.
"It means so much for people here to know that their story is being heard (and) seen," he told the BBC.
His images show that he was not afraid to get close to the action, capturing victims of Yemen's violent protests.
The effect of taking candid pictures stayed with him, he said, telling the BBC the "smell of death" often remained after he finished shooting.
Somers and a South African hostage were killed on Saturday during a failed attempt by US special forces to free them from Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen.
Somers, who was born in Britain but spent most of his life in the United States, told the BBC he had planned to leave Yemen in August 2013, about a month before he was kidnapped.
His bother Jordan described him as a "good person" and said he did not know why he was taken hostage.
'Care and respect'
"He's a good person and he's only been trying to good things for the Yemeni population," Jordan said in a video earlier this week with his mother Paula.
"He goes out of his way to care for and respect the common person and he has made many lasting friends in Yemen," Jordan said.
Fellow freelance journalist Tik Root, who met Somers in Yemen, called him a "private guy," but said his photography was anything but.
"Luke never wavered from the frontlines. He spent countless hours documenting revolutionaries in Sanaa's Change Square and snapped photos ranging from Yemen’s former president to children afflicted with malnutrition," said Root, writing on the PBS Newshour website.
"His work provides a gripping window into a country rarely on the world's radar. It also reveals his deep and persistent love for the country."
His murder, which US President Barack Obama called "barbaric," came only days after Somers appeared in a video saying he was in imminent danger and appealing for help.
"I am looking for any help that can get me out of this situation. I am certain that my life is in danger," said Somers.
"As I sit here now I ask if anything can be done, please let it be done," he said, appearing composed, wearing a collared shirt and glasses.
His mother Paula appealed to his captors this week before his death was announced.
"Our hearts are with you, we miss you and we love you. And all we want to do is see you again and have you safely in our arms all together," she said.
AFP
Sat Dec 06 2014
![US journo killed in Yemen sought to capture everyday lives US journo killed in Yemen sought to capture everyday lives](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-12/51417860352_295x200.jpg)
Somers (pic) and a South African hostage, Pierre Korkie, were killed on Saturday during a failed attempt by US special forces to free them from Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen.
![Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721102997_SimposiumDronKeban.jpg)
Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi
Penggunaan dron membolehkan pemantauan pencemaran alam sekitar dan hidupan liar serta pencerobohan hutan dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan.
![Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721109015_bekaspengawalperib.jpg)
Bekas pengawal peribadi Wan Azizah cedera kemalangan
Bekas anggota polis wanita yang kini bekerja sebagai pengawal peribadi cedera setelah motosikal ditunggangnya melanggar sebuah SUV di lebuh raya PLUS.
![Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719996195_MKulasegaran.jpg)
Rang Undang-undang Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentang akhir tahun ini - Kulasegaran
RUU Kebebasan Maklumat dijangka dibentangkan di Parlimen pada akhir tahun ini selepas cadangan ketetapan bagi penggubalan Akta Kebebasan Maklumat dibawa ke Jemaah Menteri untuk kelulusan.
![Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108438_azizi.jpg)
Azizi dilantik Ketua Polis Perak baharu
Timbalan Ketua Polis Perak Datuk Azizi Mat Aris dilantik sebagai Ketua Polis Perak yang baharu hari ini.
![ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108165_ADUNRembiaPN.jpg)
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, tak 'lompat parti' - Takiyuddin
Menurut Takiyuddin, keahlian Muhamad Jailani yang juga wakil rakyat UMNO diterima pada 10 Jun tahun lalu, namun diumumkan secara rasmi hari ini.
Kita perlu belajar hidup dengan COVID-19 - Pakar
Itu kata Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam, Bahagian Kawalan Penyakit, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), Dr Aznida Mohamad Zaki yang berkata pihaknya akan berusaha semampu mungkin dalam menggalakkan praktis kendiri dikalangan orang awam bagi mencegah penularan wabak seperti mana yang pernah dilakukan sebelum ini.
LHDN lulus 141,406 permohonan PKPS 2.0
Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) telah meluluskan sebanyak 141,406 permohonan program khas pengakuan sukarela (PKPS) 2.0 yang melibatkan 102,572 bilangan kes pembayar cukai individu, 27,707 bilangan kes syarikat dan selebihnya melibatkan lain kategori seperti pertubuhan.
![Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721017239_TBFADILLAH.jpg)
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, tingkatkan liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
![Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721103547_WargaThailandWitt.jpg)
Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel
Seorang warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Alor Setar atas pertuduhan menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel.
Lilitan reben putih tak langgar peraturan - Timbalan Speaker
Ramli berkata, perkara itu juga adalah merupakan keputusannya dan bukan dibuat oleh Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
![Sah! Jemaah Islamiyah Indonesia bubar Sah! Jemaah Islamiyah Indonesia bubar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720095246_PengebomamBali.jpg)
Sah! Jemaah Islamiyah Indonesia bubar
Ahli tertinggi Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) yang terlibat dalam tragedi pengeboman Bali pada 2022, mengumumkan pembubaran kumpulan itu pada Khamis.
![‘Surat kepada Amerika’ tulisan Osama Bin Laden tular di TikTok ‘Surat kepada Amerika’ tulisan Osama Bin Laden tular di TikTok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/61699958119_TBTIKTOKGENERIC.jpg)
‘Surat kepada Amerika’ tulisan Osama Bin Laden tular di TikTok
Kalangan masyarakat global di media sosial menyifatkan peranan Amerika sebagai hero dalam konflik Asia Barat sebagai satu pembohongan.
![Al-Qaeda ancam serang kementerian Perancis, kedutaan Sweden susulan insiden bakar al-Quran Al-Qaeda ancam serang kementerian Perancis, kedutaan Sweden susulan insiden bakar al-Quran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/61454585384_AlQaeda.jpg)
Al-Qaeda ancam serang kementerian Perancis, kedutaan Sweden susulan insiden bakar al-Quran
Anggota kumpulan al-Qaeda (yang diharamkan di Rusia) dilaporkan telah mengancam untuk menyerang sebuah kementerian di Perancis dan kedutaan Sweden, menurut Sputnik.
![Serangan 9/11: AS tidak akan berhenti memerangi keganasan - Biden Serangan 9/11: AS tidak akan berhenti memerangi keganasan - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/51662938785_JoeBiden.jpg)
Serangan 9/11: AS tidak akan berhenti memerangi keganasan - Biden
Biden berkata walaupun AS telah meninggalkan Afghanistan, petadbirannya akan terus memburu mereka yang mendalangi serangan berkenaan.
![Pemimpin Al-Qaeda Al-Zawahiri terbunuh dalam serangan dron AS - Biden Pemimpin Al-Qaeda Al-Zawahiri terbunuh dalam serangan dron AS - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/61659405213_OsamaAlZawahiri.jpg)
Pemimpin Al-Qaeda Al-Zawahiri terbunuh dalam serangan dron AS - Biden
Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Joe Biden mengumumkan bahawa pemimpin al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri terbunuh dalam satu serangan dron di Kabul.
![Pemimpin al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri dilapor terbunuh dalam serangan dron CIA Pemimpin al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri dilapor terbunuh dalam serangan dron CIA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/61659405213_OsamaAlZawahiri.jpg)
Pemimpin al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri dilapor terbunuh dalam serangan dron CIA
Perkembangan itu memberi tamparan besar kepada kumpulan Al-Qaeda sejak pengasasnya Osama Laden terbunuh pada 2011.
![Kesederhanaan Islam lengkapi keperluan keamanan bersama - Prof Mohammad Hashim Kesederhanaan Islam lengkapi keperluan keamanan bersama - Prof Mohammad Hashim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/61645345498_TBKAMALI.jpg)
Kesederhanaan Islam lengkapi keperluan keamanan bersama - Prof Mohammad Hashim
Ancaman terhadap keamanan akan sentiasa wujud dan semakin meningkat memandangkan golongan pelampau sentiasa ada di mana-mana.
![Sisi luka perang di Afghanistan tinggalan Amerika Sisi luka perang di Afghanistan tinggalan Amerika](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/41630396961_TBUSARMY.jpg)
Sisi luka perang di Afghanistan tinggalan Amerika
Sorotan kesan misi hampir dua dekad tentera Amerika Syarikat di Afghanistan ke atas generasi kanak-kanak, yang paling terdera disebabkan perang. Nasib mereka terus tidak menentu di tangan Taliban
![Operasi risikan halang perkembangan ideologi pengganas - Penganalisis Operasi risikan halang perkembangan ideologi pengganas - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-08/71597761436_DRAHMADSAUFFIYANH.jpg)
Operasi risikan halang perkembangan ideologi pengganas - Penganalisis
Operasi risikan dan tangkapan dari pihak berkuasa yang proaktif telah berjaya menghalang perkembangan ideologi pengganas.
!['Jangan tunggu serangan berlaku, baru nak tangkap' - Ayob Khan kongsi isu ancaman keganasan di Malaysia 'Jangan tunggu serangan berlaku, baru nak tangkap' - Ayob Khan kongsi isu ancaman keganasan di Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/71627116413_AYOBKHAN.jpg)
'Jangan tunggu serangan berlaku, baru nak tangkap' - Ayob Khan kongsi isu ancaman keganasan di Malaysia
Jelas beliau, jika perkara tersebut dipandang remeh, Malaysia juga berisiko untuk diserang.