Militants: Algerian helicopters kill 35 hostages
Militia leader Moktar Belmoktar, is seen from a video clip, announcing the capture of 41 foreigners from the Ain Amenas gas plant in Algeria, Jan. 16, 2013. (SITE Intel Group/AP Photo)
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted: 01/17/2013
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -
Islamist militants have told a Mauritanian news outlet that Algerian military helicopters strafed the gas complex where they are holding hostages, killing 35 of the foreigners and 15 of the kidnappers.
The spokesman for the Masked Brigade, which had earlier claimed responsibility for the assault Wednesday on the gas complex deep in the Sahara desert, said Thursday that Abou El Baraa, the leader of the kidnappers, was also killed in the helicopter attack.
The information came from the Nouakchott Information Agency, which has often carried reports from al-Qaida-linked extremist groups.
The militant spokesman said the kidnappers were attacked by Algerian helicopters when they attempted to leave the complex.
The Algerian government would not immediately comment on the standoff and the Associated Press was not able to independently confirm the information.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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