Situation not looking good for hostages in Algeria

Conflicting reports make it unclear how many hostages were actually taken by an Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) offshoot in Algeria and how many hostages have been killed.  Algerian special forces are claiming the hostage crisis is over, but that does not seem to be the case.  The Algerian state news agency ANP reports seem to conflict with what a spokesman for the terror group Qatiba told a Mauritanian news outlet.  

It was reported that two Americans escaped, but even that is unconfirmed, partially because the Algerians do NOT want any outside help from the West, specifically refusing any NATO assistance.   We do know that an unknown number of Americans are among the hostages.

Stephen McFaul, an Irish national who escaped, reports that Algerian forces bombed four of five Jeeps containing hostages who were being moved inside the complex, his brother told Reuters. McFaul's vehicle was not hit but crashed, allowing him to flee.  [snip]

Qatiba, which translates as Signers in Blood, was created in December by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who broke off for unknown reasons from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).  [snip]

"The goal is still spread radical Islam, attack the near enemy, attack the far enemy, create a sharia state — it's just no longer called al-Qaeda," he said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said U.S. officials were still gathering details. "We condemn in the strongest terms a terrorist attack on BP personnel and facilities in Algeria, and we are closely monitoring the situation," he said.   (USA Today)

Via Drudge:

REPORT: Hostages held in Algeria killed...
REPORT: Four freed...
BLOODBATH: Helicopters strafe gas plant in desert...
Fate of 7 Kidnapped Americans Unknown...
Hostages 'made to wear explosives'...
Gunmen dubbed 'Signatories for Blood'...
Attack planned BEFORE French strike in Mali?

 

Updates as we have them.

 

Comments

[Bloviating Zeppelin]

Algerian Special Forces.

I think there are Animal Control Officers in my county with better gun skills and tactical awareness.

BZ

[(Rhino!) CBPO Jon A Underwood, CBP, Ret.]

Well, I thought Obama killed OBL and AQ was gone....

HUMMMMM... Well, I guess not.

I want to know if the Marlboro Man is finally dead or not. If he's not dead, then he's a coward, as most terrorists are...

I want to know how many people were effected, how many Americans and the final count for each group.

Then I want to know how much we pay Algeria in Foreign aide and see if they can see it possible next time if they can spend a few days learning from the various tactical teams, or asking for input anyway... I am sure they have their own teams.

I know, from experience, the worst feeling you have when you use explosives, is when the "failed breach" command goes out.

It took a long time to develop our Spec Ops guys and learning from years after years of working things through.

We should work at developing our contacts with the Military, as we still have, somewhat, with Egypt and Jordan.

[R.J. Godlewski]

Was that Liz Cheney that said "If only Obama was as serious about disarming al-Qaeda as it is about disarming Americans..."? :o)

[Debbie]

Bloviating Zeppelin:

I wondered how "special" those special forces were. They apparently bungled their attempt to free the hostages, killed some of them along with a few terrorists. They will not release any details of what they did to the US.

Rhino:

Obama wants to pull all our troops out of the area, AQ just moves to another spot, they survive. This group has the same goals and the original AQ core group, sharia. Of course Obama doesn't object to sharia, just look at the Muslim Brotherhood.

R.J.:

Good for Liz Cheney. I missed her on Fox last night, haven't heard much from her lately.