French Commando, Killed in Somalia, Identified

Captain Patrice Rebout, a member of the Division Action arm (11e Choc) of the DGSE, was one of two commandos killed in an attempt to rescue a fellow DGSE operative, Denis Allex, who has been held captive by al-Shabaab since 2009. Patrice, a veteran of the DGSE since 2008, was formerly of the 8^th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, where he served since 1996. While serving with the 8RPIMa, Patrice deployed to the Balkans and to Gabon.

On Thursday the 24^th of January comrades from the 8^th and the DGSE flocked to the town of Moulin-à-Vent south of Perpignan, home of Patrice’s wife, their 6 month old little boy, and Patrice’s father, a former officer in the 8RPIMa.

During the operation itself, Patrice and 50 of his comrades left the Navy Ship Mistral aboard four EC725 Caracals, two Tiger attack helicopters, and United States support aircraft towards the location of Denis Allex. The incoming aircraft triggered an early warning system in place by the militants which allowed for the enemy to amass a larger group of fighters. Patrice was severely wounded during the operation and was flown back to the Mistral where he succumbed to his wounds.

The identity of the second fallen French commando who was left behind in Somalia has not been released.