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In Amenas hostage crisis

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In Amenas hostage crisis
Part of Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)
Location of in Aménas within Illizi Province in Algeria
LocationIn Aménas, Algeria
Date16 January 2013–present
(11 years, 6 months and 5 days) (CET - UTC +1)
TargetWestern oil workers at a facility operated by British Petroleum, Statoil and Sonatrach
Attack type
Ambush, Siege, Hostage crisis
WeaponsAutomatic weapons, mortars, anti-aircraft missiles, explosives
Deaths2 - 3[1]
Injuredat least 7[1]
Victimup to 41 hostages
PerpetratorsKatibat Moulathamine (The Masked Brigade)[2]

The In Aménas hostage crisis is an ongoing hostage crisis by militants with an estimated 41 people of varying nationalities being held. The event began in the early morning of 16 January, 2013, when around 20 Islamist militants in three vehicles attacked a bus carrying workers to a natural gas plant in the town of In Aménas in far eastern Algeria, about 60 kilometers west of the border with Libya, before moving into the facility itself.[3] The militants have reportedly rigged the plant with explosives and have threatened a "tragic end" should attempts be made to free the captives, with one such attempt by Algerian troops reportedly having already been made.[4][5] Algerian security forces currently surround the facility. [6]

Timeline

Demands

The militants have reportedly demanded an end to French military operations against Islamists in northern Mali in return for the safety of the hostages. A spokesman claiming to represent the "Masked Brigade" said the hostage seizure was to respond to Algeria's opening of Algerian airspace to French warplanes in their attack on Mali's militants.[7] Other reports suggest the hostage-takers demand the release of about 100 Islamist prisoners held in Algeria.[5]

According to the Mauritanian news agency ANI and the Algerian Interior Minister Kablia, the fighters are under the command of Mokhtar Belmokhtar, and are not from Mali, Libya or "any other neighboring state". The one-eyed Belmokhtar, a veteran of Algeria’s civil war and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and reportedly dubbed "The Uncatchable" by French intelligence, was a senior commander in al-Qaeda's local branch before deciding to form his own armed Islamist group late last year after an apparent fallout with other militant leaders. Despite the split, his fighters remain loyal to al-Qaeda and mentioned the fact in their communication with the media after the initial assault.[1]

Hostages

Various reports placed the number of hostages between 20 and 40, while a statement released by the Islamist group to a Mauritanian news agency said they had 41 foreign nationals. Five of them were reported to be at the gas facility, and the rest were at a nearby housing unit.[1][8] The number included 13 Norwegians (4 of whom escaped to a nearby military camp[9]), 7 Americans, 5 Japanese, 1 Irishman, as well as nationals from France and the United Kingdom. French news channel France 24 broadcast parts of a phone conversation with a French hostage, who claimed he was being held along with English, Japanese, Filipino and Malaysian nationals.[10][11]. Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila said the kidnappers held some 20 hostages.[12]

A British national and an Algerian security guard have been confirmed dead, with some reports stating a Frenchman and a Norwegian might have also been killed. At least seven people were injured in the initial assault against the complex.[1][5][13][14] Algerian nationals who worked at the plant were reportedly released.[5]

International reaction

  •  Algeria: Daho Ould Kabila, Algeria's Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying Algeria would not "respond to the demands of terrorists" and would not negotiate with the hostage takers.[3]
  •  Republic of Ireland: Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore confirmed to media that an Irish citizen from Belfast was being held, Gilmore said: "The Government stands ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible."[15]
  •  United States: Immediately after news of the attack broke, Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, confirmed to reporters that an unidentified number of American citizens were believed to be among the hostages. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who was in in Italy at the time, said that "it is a very serious matter when Americans are taken hostage along with others" and added that the US will "take all necessary and proper steps that are required to deal with this situation."[3]
  •  United Kingdom: British foreign secretary William Hague confirmed a British death the day after the attack. He rejected linkage to the Mali military actions by the French and called that an excuse for "cold-blooded murder." [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Dozens held after Islamists attack Algerian gas field". Reuters. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  2. ^ Henry McDonald (16 January 2013). "Briton reported killed in kidnap raid in Algeria". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Militants Seize Americans and Other Hostages in Algeria". The New York Times
  4. ^ Chikhi, Lamine (16 January 2013). "Sahara Islamists take hostages, spreading Mali war". Reuters. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d "Foreigners held hostage by militants in Algeria". BBC. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  6. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/world/africa/islamists-seize-foreign-hostages-at-algeria-gas-field.html?hp&_r=0
  7. ^ "Foreigners seized after deadly Algeria attack". Al Jazeera. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Irish oil worker kidnapped in Algeria". Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
  9. ^ "Four Norwegians safe in Algeria hostage episode" Equities.com
  10. ^ "Five Japanese oil workers believed seized by al-Qaida-linked Islamists in Algeria", Japan Times
  11. ^ "Report: Malaysians, Filipinos among Algeria hostages". The Star (Malaysia)
  12. ^ Algeria troops 'in face-off' with militant hostage-takers BBC, January 17, 2013
  13. ^ "Algeria hostage crisis: Briton confirmed dead as workers held hostage by terrorists". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Islamists take foreign hostages in attack on Algerian oil field". CNN. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  15. ^ "How attack on Algeria oil facility unfolded" The Irish Times
  16. ^ http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/01/2013116154848726750.html
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