French special forces rescue four hostages in West Africa, including an American
Two of the commandos were killed in the operation.
French forces have freed four hostages — including an American citizen — in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, where militant Islamist violence is surging, the French government said Friday.
The military raid resulted in the deaths of two French soldiers late Thursday during a confrontation in the country’s north. That stretch of largely ungoverned land has become a hotbed of extremism in recent years as insurgents spilled over the border from Mali.
France ordered the special operation to save two French tourists, who vanished last week in neighboring Benin’s Pendjari National Park. Authorities later found the body of their guide, officials said.
The raid also released the American and a South Korean citizen, whose identities have not been made public.
Reply With Quote