Algeria army frees 600 hostages

The Algerian army managed to free 600 people held hostage by a terrorist group at Sonatrach’s oil field. Kidnappers alleged that 35 hostages were killed following helicopter shelling and said 15 terrorist kidnappers were murdered including their leader Abu Al Baraa.

Security sources told Echorouk the sudden intervention of the Algerian army came following information about an attempt to blow up the oil field. This happened among terrible pressures from western countries on Algeria. France talked about tragic development as nationals were held hostage. Washington asked for clarifications about the operation carried out by the army. The UK said it would have been better to inform it before carrying out the operation.

Early on Thursday’s morning, army military helicopters launched an operation to free the hostages. It worked in coordination with the National Gendarmerie and intervention unit. They shelled the oil field.

The helicopters started strafing the complex wounding two kidnappers, according to the Nouakchott Information Agency, which has often carried reports from the terrorist group.

“Signers in Blood have sophisticated weapons and are able to face the Algerian army and repel any attempt to lift the blockade on hostages,” a spokesman for the terrorist group said.

He added that the kidnappers were divided into three groups and tens of the group’s members are mobilized inside the complex to repel any movement from the Algerian army to free the hostages.

While security forces were surrounding the oil field, 30 Algerian and 15 foreign workers escaped at around 10 am on Thursday. They were evacuated by the army’s helicopters and taken to a hospital in In Amenas.

Kidnappers threaten to kill hostages but Special Forces surprise them

At around 1 pm, the terrorist groups threatened to kill all the hostages if the army tried to enter the complex. “The Algerian army started tightening the noise and opening fire on us, in an attempt to enter the field and free the hostages,” a kidnapper said.

“We will kill all the hostages if the Algerian army tries to get into the field,” he added.

The kidnappers’ leader Abu Al Baraa warned Algerian security authorities against any military action meant to free the western hostages. He called for lifting the blockade on his fighters so that they could reach their strongholds. He asked for 20 Land Rover cars, a sufficient amount of gas and a safe way to Malian borders. Yet, Algerian authorities did not satisfy their request.

At around 2:30 pm, the terrorist group tried to take some hostages to a safe place on their company’s cars. Yet, helicopters strafed the convoy and killed Abu al Baraa along with 14 terrorists and 35 hostages, according to the Signers in Blood.

Algerian authorities did not confirm that information.

Immediately after the terrorist group announced the killing of Abu Al Baraa, its spokesman said Algerian helicopters started strafing the oil field wounding two Japanese hostages.

He added that the armed group tried to take some hostages to a safe place using their company’s cars but the Algerian aviation strafed them killing a number of hostages and kidnappers.

The army frees 600 Algerian workers

At around 3:30 pm, 180 Algerian hostages escaped from the oil field, according to security officials.

It seems that the rest of the kidnappers still holding seven foreigners including two Americans.

The spokesman for the terrorist group said the kidnappers are attached on its position to kill all the hostages if the Algerian forces tried to enter the complex. Yet, the Algerian News Agency (APS) said 600 Algerian workers were freed.

The army enters the oil field and surrounds Belaouer’s group

At around 4 pm, a spokesman for the kidnappers told the Nouakchott Information Agency the Algerian forces started entering the complex by force. Fire was opened on two Land Rover cars which tried to run away.

International pressures on Algeria for the safety of hostages

Western countries are raising pressure on Algeria. French President François Hollande said Frenchmen are among the hostages. Norwegian President stressed the necessity of ensure the safety of Norway’s nationals.

UK Prime Minister said Algeria should have informed his country about the military operation in advance. Washington expressed its concerns about the situation and called on Algeria to give clarifications about the military operation.

The Nouakchott Information Agency was the only source for all world media. The agency was in contact with a kidnapper who said his group was still holding hostages and threatened to my blow up the oil field if the army intervenes once again.