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Islamist activity in the Sahara in relation to travel security Islamist activity in the Sahara in relation to travel security
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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 17 Jan 2025
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In case you missed it, and posted elsewhere too - a Spanish man has been kidnapped in southern Algeria and taken to Mali. There is an unsubstantiated rumour that it may have been in/around Tamanrasset, which makes it doubly concerning.

https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo...114209964.html
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  #2  
Old 17 Jan 2025
gdz gdz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edwardbgill View Post
In case you missed it, and posted elsewhere too - a Spanish man has been kidnapped in southern Algeria and taken to Mali. There is an unsubstantiated rumour that it may have been in/around Tamanrasset, which makes it doubly concerning.

https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo...114209964.html
Early reports suggested the Islamic State, but this is not confirmed, others point to JNIM.
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  #3  
Old 17 Jan 2025
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A 73-year-old Austrian woman was also kidnapped a week ago in Agadez.

https://www.euronews.com/2025/01/13/...%C3%AFr%20Info.


Eva Gretzmacher is a well-known figure in Agadez for her social commitment, a skills centre in 2010 that initiated various projects, notably in education, women’s empowerment, ecology, culture and art, reported Nigerien outlet Aïr Info.
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  #4  
Old 19 Jan 2025
gdz gdz is offline
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According to some rumors, the Spanish tourist tried to avoid being escorted by stating that he had family in Tamanrasset and that he was visiting them.
They were 4 people kidnapped 3 Algerians: 2 Touareg guides, 1 Algerian from Algiers (a contact of the Spanish tourist) and the Spanish tourist.
In northern Mali, the 3 Algerians were released in the wild and terrorists kept the sole foreigner.
This is basically what the released Algerians mentioned, this version is being investigated as it is totally possible that the Algerian "friend" could potentially also have terrorists ties.

BTW, the kidnapped Spanish tourist is a guy with long hair (this is why there are conflicting reports stating that the person is a woman) and has origins from latin America.

Even though the Spanish tourist made a major mistake trying to avoid being escorted, it is still appalling that 8 foreign terrorists were able to enter and exit Algeria so easily over 400 km.

There is an ongoing investigation and I'll keep you updated when I have more news from Algerian sources.
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Old 19 Jan 2025
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Do we assume they were all grabbed while on the N1 highway?

Quote:
as it is totally possible that the Algerian "friend" could potentially also have terrorists ties.
It is also possible that anyone along the route who saw the southbound vehicle and knew one occupant was a foreigner could have called it in. This has happened before.
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Old 20 Jan 2025
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Originally Posted by gdz View Post
Even though the Spanish tourist made a major mistake trying to avoid being escorted, it is still appalling that 8 foreign terrorists were able to enter and exit Algeria so easily over 400 km.
This is the particularly shocking bit - that it was apparently near Tam (has that been confirmed?).
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Old 20 Jan 2025
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The Spanish guy was liberated, I hear, by Tuareg-rebels in Mali. He was taken hostage by smugglers that tried to sell him, in vain
Last edited by gvdaa; 20 Jan 2025 at 16:10.
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Old 20 Jan 2025
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I also hear from Algeria: 'The Algerian state has recovered the Spanish tourist and he is now in his country'.

Seems it was actually the Azawad Liberation Front ('FLA'; rebels for an Azawad homeland rather than black-flag jihadists) who negotiated the liberation of Gilbert Giane Navarro near Indelimane deep in eastern Mali – 150km east of Gao, 850km SW of Tam and site of various jihadist ambushes over the years.
It may have been a chance grab by opportunistic Algerian smugglers looking to sell Navarro on, but the ABC report below has the FLA citing an unnamed 'transnational mafia' which sounds a bit more organised. You'd think JNIM, ISGS etc would have put up a fight to keep their latest hostage.

The location of the grab in Algeria is still unclear. As mentioned elsewhere, there are loads of people-smugglers boldly running up and down the TSH in Hiluxs, but you'd think they stick to the program.

https://abcnews.go.com/International...eria-117931744

As estebangc says below, El Pais gives another version with talk of selling on to ISGS prior to the claimed liberation.
https://elpais.com/espana/2025-01-21...el-sahara.html
Last edited by Chris Scott; 21 Jan 2025 at 14:46.
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Posted By For Type Date
Sahariens • Consulter le sujet - Plutot des bonnes nlles d'Algérie This thread Refback 24 Mar 2019 14:34
Kidnappings | Sahara Overland This thread Refback 27 Feb 2015 11:11
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Early Perspectives on the Mali Crisis from a Jihadist Forum (II) | The Moor Next Door This thread Refback 16 Apr 2013 10:10
Laatste nieuws over Mali / Timbouctou / Gao- This thread Refback 28 May 2012 12:09
Sahara Overland ~ book reviews This thread Refback 30 Mar 2012 17:28
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Sahara Overland News This thread Refback 28 Jul 2010 20:00
Fight against al qaeda in the maghreb - Page 2 - The HUBB This thread Refback 23 May 2010 00:10

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