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| Africa North |
| Release of two Mali civilians, abducted after the Franco-Mauritanian raid |
| 2010-08-12 |
| [Ennahar] Two Malian civilians, abducted on the Malian territory after a Franco-Mauritanian raid late July against a unit of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), were released by the Mauritanian army, said Wednesday reliable sources. "Our two nationals kidnapped in the Timbuktu region (northwest) after the Franco-Mauritanian raid of 22 July have been released by the Mauritanian army," an official of the governorate of Timbuktu told AFP. "Yes, it's true. Our parents unjustly removed by the Mauritanian army, have been freed," said on his part to AFP, Mamoud Ould Maouloud, a relative of two civilians. "Mauritanians have apologized to our parents. They even gave a nest egg to compensate," said the source, without specifying the amount of compensation. The two Malian civilians Ckeikna Ould Bolla and Rabah Ould Bammoshi had been abducted by the Mauritanian army after a Franco-Mauritanian raid on Malian territory, had told AFP a member of the local assembly in Timbuktu. The raid, conducted on July 22 against a unit of AQIM, killed seven people in the ranks of that organization. France had said the Franco-Mauritanian operation was aimed for the release of the French hostage Michel Germaneau, detained since April by AQIM. The terrorist organization announced the execution of the hostage Germaneau on July 25 to avenge its members killed during the raid. The Mauritanian government says that this operation was solely intended to prevent an attack on its territory by AQIM, planned for July 28. |
| Posted by:Fred |