French free Dutch hostage in Mali four years after kidnap
7 April 2015 6:43 AM IST
French special forces on Monday rescued a Dutch train driver kidnapped nearly four years ago in Mali by Al-Qaeda’s north Africa arm in an operation that killed several jihadists.
France’s defence ministry said Sjaak Rijke, kidnapped in Timbuktu in northern Mali in November 2011, was freed during “military action carried out by the French army’s special forces.” “This combat action has also led to the capture of several individuals,” added the ministry, referring to the dawn raid against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
It said Rijke was “safe and sound.” French President Francois Hollande also spoke of the operation, saying the freed hostage had been transported to a safe location and that a number of suspected jihadists had been killed.
He said the French soldiers were not aware of the hostage’s location before the raid against the extremists. “Several hours ago, French special forces were able to carry out an attack against a terrorist group and were able not only to neutralise the group, but also obtain the freedom ... of a Dutch man who had been held hostage since November 2011,” Hollande told journalists.
He said the assault occurred near Tessalit in Mali’s far north, near the border with Algeria.
Asked whether the hostage was in good condition, Hollande said “as much as possible after four years of captivity.”
France’s defence ministry said Sjaak Rijke, kidnapped in Timbuktu in northern Mali in November 2011, was freed during “military action carried out by the French army’s special forces.” “This combat action has also led to the capture of several individuals,” added the ministry, referring to the dawn raid against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
It said Rijke was “safe and sound.” French President Francois Hollande also spoke of the operation, saying the freed hostage had been transported to a safe location and that a number of suspected jihadists had been killed.
He said the French soldiers were not aware of the hostage’s location before the raid against the extremists. “Several hours ago, French special forces were able to carry out an attack against a terrorist group and were able not only to neutralise the group, but also obtain the freedom ... of a Dutch man who had been held hostage since November 2011,” Hollande told journalists.
He said the assault occurred near Tessalit in Mali’s far north, near the border with Algeria.
Asked whether the hostage was in good condition, Hollande said “as much as possible after four years of captivity.”
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