Details are slowly emerging of the U.S. raid in Somalia overnight in which two aid workers of the Danish Demining Group were freed unscathed, 8 or 9 kidnappers killed and up to six taken prisoner by U.S. Navy Seals.

According to local reports, U.S. forces temporarily secured Galkayo airport before dispatching several helicopters with operational teams to an area some 100 kms away near the village of Hiimo Gaabo.

Arriving about 3 a.m. at the location, a hefty exchange of fire with abductors holding the two aid workers ensued. Several pirates were killed as Poul Hagen Thisted, 60, and Jessica Buchanan, 32, were taken to safety unscathed.

It was on October 25 last year in Galkayo that the two aid workers were kidnapped after taking part in a seminar. According to the local police chief in Galkayo at the time, one or more bodyguards assigned to the two were co-conspirators in the kidnapping.

Local authorities appeared to have been quickly on the scene following the raid.

“We have recovered up eight bodies from the place and I understand that a further five people have been taken prisoner,” Abduali Moalim of the local Adados Authority tells AFP.

The president of the Galmudug region where the operation took place expressed his gratitude to U.S. forces.

“There are some 12 American helicopters right now at Galkayo. Our thanks go to the United States. The pirates have wrecked our peace and morale. They are a mafia,” President Mohamed Ahmed Alim told Reuters.

The action took place as President Obama prepared to deliver his State of the Union address yesterday evening.

NBC News reports that as the president stepped into the House chambers, he pointed to Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta standing in the crowd and said, “Leon. Good job tonight. Good job tonight,” in what was believed to be a reference to the Somali operation.

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