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| Africa North |
| 'Militants' killed in Mauritanian raid on Qaeda affiliate |
| 2010-07-24 |
| Mauritanian troops attacked the base of an al Qaeda affiliate, killing several 'militants', a Mauritanian official said Friday, without confirming whether the move sought to free a French hostage. 'The operation which targeted a militant base is complete', the source said. 'Several armed militants were killed and wounded at the base, located in the desert, which serves as a refuge for terrorist fighters from the nebulous al Qaeda in the Maghreb," or AQIM. The source did not specify whether the raid was aimed at liberating 78-year-old Michel Germaneau, an aid worker kidnapped on April 19 now facing execution. But a Malian source who has mediated talks to release several Westerners kidnapped in the region told that 'the Mauritanians went to the Sahara where the French hostage was being held. It seems they went to find him but he could not be located'. The source could not confirm whether troops from former colonial power France were involved in the operation, but said Mauritanian troops were present. 'France was aware of the operation before it kicked off. Now the question is the degree of its involvement', the source added. |
| Posted by:Fred |