ALGIERS, Algeria — Algeria's state news service says nearly 100 out of the 132 foreign hostages kidnapped by Islamist militants have been freed from a gas plant in the Sahara desert.
The report by APS indicated a potential breakthrough in a bloody siege that began when militants seized the plant early Wednesday and reflected a significant jump in the number of foreign hostages involved.
The Friday report from the government news agency, citing a security official, did not mention any casualties in the battles between Algerian forces and the militants. But earlier it had said that 18 militants had been killed.
It was not clear whether the remaining foreigners were still captive or had been killed in the Algerian military operation to free them that began Thursday.
"I think they did a fantastic job. I was very impressed with the Algerian army," one British hostage told reporters after he had been freed from the In Amenas gas facility in Algeria, according to ITV.
"I feel sorry for anyone who's been hurt, but other than that, I quite enjoyed it," the man astonishingly added.
In an emailed statement, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said that the President is receiving regular updates on the situation in Algeria.
"We are in constant contact with the Government of Algeria and have been clear that our first priority is the safety and security of the hostages. The President discussed the situation with PM Cameron yesterday, and we are in close touch with our other international partners, as well as BP’s security office in London.”
--Mike McAuliff
Share this:PHOTOS: Rescued Hostages Hug Each Other In In AmnasRescued hostages hug each other in Ain Amenas, Algeria, in this image taken from television Friday Jan. 18, 2013. Algeria?s state news service says nearly 100 out of 132 foreign hostages have been freed from a gas plant where Islamist militants had held them captive for three days. (AP Photo/Canal Algerie via Assiaciated Press TV)
Hostages who were freed from the gas field in Algeria gave horrifying accounts of their time in captivity, the New York Times reports on Friday.
Hostages who escaped or were freed from their Islamist captors at the natural-gas field in Algeria have described scenes of fear and terror. Some said they had explosives hung around their necks, and others spoke of the sudden shooting of unarmed colleagues as the terrorist group seized control of the residential quarters of the plant.
The Algerian newspaper El Watan wrote on Friday that Algerian forces had been able to capture one hostage taker alive.
Security sources did not give the militant's nationality, but they say he revealed that his group counted 32 individuals and belonged to the Signed-In-Blood battalion of Mokhtar Benmokthar.
Reuters has more on the prisoner swap militants in Algeria proposed:
Al Qaeda-linked kidnappers who took hundreds of people hostage at a gas plant in Algeria have offered to swap U.S. captives for two militants jailed in the United States, Mauritanian news agency ANI reported.
They named the militants they want freed as Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui and Egyptian Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as "The Blind Sheikh", ANI reported, citing the group's spokesman. The report did not say how many U.S. hostages were being held.
A French hostage survived the assault in Algeria by hiding in his room for nearly 40 hours, Reuters reports.
One French hostage, who works for the CIS catering company at the facility, said he hid in a room away from other foreign hostages, arranging planks of wood to conceal his presence, and survived thanks to food brought by Algerian colleagues.
"I stayed hidden for nearly 40 hours in my bedroom, under the bed," Alexandre Berceaux told Europe 1 radio after his release, admitting he had been sure he would end up killed and was still in shock.
"When the military came to get me, I did not know whether it was over," he added. "They arrived with colleagues (Algerians who worked with him), otherwise I would never have opened the door."
"Regardless of the motivation of the hostage takers, there is no justification, no justification for the kidnapping and murder of innocent people," Panetta said during a visit to London, adding that the United States was in close touch with the Algerian government about the crisis. "Terrorists should be on notice that they will find no sanctuary, no refuge, not in Algeria, not in North Africa, not anywhere. Those who would wantonly attack our country and our people will have no place to hide," he said.
Algeria's state news service said on Friday that about 60 foreign hostages were missing at the In Amenas gas facility. Reuters had reported earlier in the day that 30 foreign hostages at been killed and only 18 were still missing.
@ AP :Algeria's state news service says about 60 foreign hostages are unaccounted for in standoff: http://t.co/1M8TCoB9 -RAS
U.S. officials cautioned the Algerian government before a raid on a natural gas complex against taking a heavy-handed approach that could put dozens of hostages at risk, Obama administration officials said Thursday.
Algeria didn't give the U.S. government advance warning before it launched the raid.
"Before the raid began, we urged the Algerians to be cautious and strongly encouraged them to make the safety of the hostages their top priority," an Obama administration official said.
Eamon Gilmore, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, gave an insider's account of the scene at the gas facility to CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Gilmore had spoken with the wife of Stephen McFaul, an Irish hostage who managed to escape.
"The kidnappers attempted to move their captives by convoy," Gilmore said. "Algerian authorities, it would appear, attempted to stop that from happening, and in the ensuing confusion, Stephen escaped and was brought to safety."
Gilmore stressed that while details of what followed remain unclear, the Algerian government did not inform Ireland nor officials of other countries of their plan of action.
The Telegraph has posted chilling first-hand details from within the gas plant as relayed to various media outlets by individual hostage survivors.
An unnamed French hostage told television station France 24 chilling details from within the gas plant. The captives had been "grouped together," while several were forced to "wear explosive belts."
Three hostages, including an unnamed Briton, spoke to the Al Jazeera news station asking the army to withdraw.
The Briton, almost certainly speaking under duress, said: "We are receiving care and good treatment from the kidnappers. The army did not withdraw and they are firing at the camp. We say to everybody that negotiation is a sign of strength and will spare many a loss of life."
A spokesperson of the Islamist group responsible for the hostage crisis told Mauritanian agency ANI the head of the commando, Abou al-Baraa, had been killed.
In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Martha Raddatz, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta asserted the gas facility attack as an act of terrorism, promising that the U.S. would take "all necessary and proper steps" to deal with the crisis.
International relations expert Christina Hellmich told Al Jazeera English that Algeria's chaotic response to the hostage crisis mirrors the country's actions in similar past situations, which have been met with success of varying degrees.
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton has ordered a security review for American diplomats, businesses and citizens in the entire Maghreb and North Africa region, CNN reports.
"That goes not only for official American security but also the message is being given to American citizens and American businesses," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said on Thursday.
Algerian interior minister Dahou Ould Kablia said he believes that the militant group that conducted the raid on the In Amenas gas facility came from Libya, French newspaper Le Monde reports. The report first appeared in Echorouk online, an Algerian daily in Arabic. An Algerian security source told Reuters earlier that the dead militants came from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and France.
A source tells Reuters that among the dead hostages eight are Algerians, two Japanese, two Britons and one is French.
@ Reuters :Among dead hostages are 8 Algerians, 2 Japanese, 2 Britons, 1 French national: source http://t.co/r5zLvpLQ #BREAKING Share this:More Loading SlideshowAlgeria
Hundreds of Algerians worked at the gas plant, but the Algerian media says most have been released. The Norwegian energy company Statoil says three of its Algerian employees are hostages.Caption: This image from video provided by the SITE Intel Group made available Thursday Jan. 17, 2013, purports to show militant militia leader Moktar Belmoktar. (AP Photo/SITE Intel Group)
Norway
Nine Norwegian employees of Statoil are hostages, the company says.Caption: Norwegian Prime minister Jens Stoltenberg, right, and Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, attend a press conference in Oslo regarding the attack on Statoil's plant in Algeria, where 13 Norwegians are among 17 workers who were taken as hostages, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/NTB Scanpix, Berit Roald)
United States
Seven Americans were hostages, the militants said, but they claimed only two survived the Algerian strafing Thursday. The U.S. has confirmed that some of its citizens are hostages but gave no numbers.Caption: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta pauses during a news conference in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. Panetta confirmed on Wednesday that American citizens are among the hostages taken by an Al Qaeda-linked group that seized a gas field in Algeria, calling the action a "terrorist attack," (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Britain
Several" British nationals are among the hostages, the U.K. government says.Caption: Statoil spokesman Ole Anders Skauby, centre right, talks to TV reporters outside Scandic Bergen Airport hotel where a drop-in center is established for relatives of hostages involved in the situation in Algeria. (AP Photo / Hakon Mosvold Larsen / NTB scanpix)
Malaysia
Two Malaysians being held, the government says.Caption: This April 19, 2005 photo released by Statoil via NTB scanpix, shows the Ain Amenas gas field in Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Kjetil Alsvik, Statoil via NTB scanpix)
Ireland
A 36-year-old Irish man was among the hostages but is now safe and free, according to Ireland's government.Caption: This April 19, 2005 photo released by Statoil via NTB scanpix, shows the Ain Amenas gas field in Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Kjetil Alsvik, Statoil via NTB scanpix)
France
President Francois Hollande says there are French hostages but gave no exact number.Caption: In this undated image released Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013, by BP petroleum company, showing the Amenas natural gas field in the eastern central region of Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/BP)
Romania
Romania's Foreign Ministry says Romanians are among hostages.Caption: In this undated image released Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013, by BP petroleum company, showing the Amenas natural gas field in the eastern central region of Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/BP)
Japan
At least three of the hostages are Japanese, according to the Japanese media.Caption: Employees arrive for work at the headquarters of JGC Corporation, or Nikki in Yokohama, near Tokyo Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, a day after an attack at a natural gas complex in Algeria which involves the company's workers. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394 .hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading-div{font-family:Arial,"Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,sans-serif!important;display:none!important;}#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394.hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading .hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading-div{display:block!important;text-align:center;padding:10px;background:#fff;border-radius: 8px;margin:40% 180px auto !important;box-shadow:0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,.5);}#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394.hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading .hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading-div em{font-size:14px!important;line-height:16px!important;font-style:normal!important;color:#777!important;margin:0 0 6px !important;display:block;}#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394.hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading .hp-ss-wrapper{display:none;}#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394.hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading ul{width:5px!important;height:5px!important;overflow:hidden!important;position:absolute!important;font-size:4px!important;}#hp-slideshow-wrapper-275394.hp-slideshow-wrapper-loading{background:#e3e3e3!important;padding:10px!important;width:570px!important;height:555px!important;} Contribute to this Story: Send us a tipSend us a photo or videoSuggest a correction FOLLOW WORLD Like 70k Get Alerts VideoalgeriaALGIERS, Algeria -- Algeria's state news service says about 60 foreign hostages are unaccounted for in the standoff with Islamist militants now entering its third day.The news service said more than...ALGIERS, Algeria -- Algeria's state news service says about 60 foreign hostages are unaccounted for in the standoff with Islamist militants now entering its third day.The news service said more than... Related News On Huffington Post: Algeria Hostage Crisis: Algerian, Foreign Hostages Freed, New Demands By Militants, Including Freeing 9/11 MastermindBritish Hostage Stephen McFaul Expected Home From AlgeriaTo Sell Arms, Britain Turns Blind Eye To Algeria's Human Rights Record
Family and friends of a Northern Ireland man who escaped the Algerian hostage crisis are today preparing to welcome him home. Father-of-two Stephen McFaul, 36,...
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Post to Facebook. Post to Blogger. Post to Twitter. Post to WordPress. Post to TypePad. Post to Tumblr. Post to Yahoo! Blogger login: Blogger password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Wordpress host: Wordpress login: Wordpress password: Remember me: TypePad host: TypePad login: TypePad password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Tumblr login: Tumblr password: Remember me: Community Notice: We've made some changes to our badge program, including the addition of our newest badge: Community Curator. View AllFavorites Recency | Popularity Page: 12345Next ›Last » (8 total) battlehymn78 Fans 3 minutes ago (11:16 AM)Sure, you'll hunt down the terrorists..Just like you did in Benghazi. LOL!battlehymn: Sure, you'll hunt down the terrorists..Just like you did inhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/battlehymn/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222977218.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERarmchairpickleback"Truth is treason in the empire of lies" -Ron Paul497 Fans 5 minutes ago (11:13 AM)ahhh terrist, armed and trained by the good ole USA.armchairpickleback: ahhh terrist, armed and trained by the good ole USA.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/armchairpickleback/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222976479.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… UncleHomer538 Fans 10 minutes ago (11:09 AM)Here's another example of just how bad this is. Al Jazeera, which is usually very accurate in their reporting is saying that according to the Algerians 650 hostages have been rescued.
650?? Anyone else heard of such a large number?UncleHomer: Here's another example of just how bad this is. Alhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/UncleHomer/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222975246.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThinkCreepsSeriously, it's time.2289 Fans 5 minutes ago (11:14 AM)The total number of staff in the captured plant is much higher than the quoted number of western hostages, because most of the people working at the plant are Algerians.ThinkCreeps: The total number of staff in the captured plant ishttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/ThinkCreeps/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222976620.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… PeggyStapleton45 Fans 4 minutes ago (11:14 AM)They may be counting all the locals employed by the Gas plant. If there were 132 foreigners there would be a whole lot more locals working there.PeggyStapleton: They may be counting all the locals employed by thehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/PeggyStapleton/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222976705.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… inoj296 Fans 11 minutes ago (11:07 AM)Where is John Mac on this...is he no longer interested in foreign affairs? or is this too complex for him???inoj: Where is John Mac on this...is he no longer interestedhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/inoj/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222974824.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThinkCreepsSeriously, it's time.2289 Fans 4 minutes ago (11:14 AM)He's still practicing to pronounce Al-gee-ree-ah right.ThinkCreeps: He's still practicing to pronounce Al-gee-ree-ah right.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/ThinkCreeps/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222976752.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERWeMustDoBetter09What we have here is a failure to communicate2354 Fans 12 minutes ago (11:07 AM)WHERE ARE ALL THE COMMENTS ON THIS NEWS? STRANGE...WeMustDoBetter09: WHERE ARE ALL THE COMMENTS ON THIS NEWS? STRANGE...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/WeMustDoBetter09/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222974676.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itnovictim205 Fans 9 minutes ago (11:10 AM)Look at all the pending comments...Censorship is alive and well at Huffpo (too bad:-( )novictim: Look at all the pending comments...Censorship is alive and wellhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/novictim/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222975609.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program GoldwaterKidVote Person, Not Party2043 Fans 12 minutes ago (11:06 AM)Gaddafi warned the International World of the AQ movement increasing in his country Libya, and that they were part of the rebel movement.
Gaddafi warned about the increase of AQ in Africa and wanted to protect them.
This isn't 'new' news.GoldwaterKid: Gaddafi warned the International World of the AQ movement increasinghttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/GoldwaterKid/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222974564.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… RubberJohnnyIwork40hoursaweeksoyoudon'thaveto219 Fans 13 minutes ago (11:06 AM)None of the msm reporting from the scene? Too comfortable sitting in their anchor chairs?RubberJohnny: None of the msm reporting from the scene? Too comfortablehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/RubberJohnny/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222974338.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program Schoolgirl666764 Fans 13 minutes ago (11:05 AM)The In Amenas gas field is jointly operated by British oil giant BP, Norway's Statoil and Algeria's Sonatrach. If these three countries can't protect their workers, they shouldn't be mining natural gas.Schoolgirl666: The In Amenas gas field is jointly operated by Britishhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Schoolgirl666/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222974277.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERBMcC724They only call it Class War when we fight back™.2020 Fans 16 minutes ago (11:03 AM)Oh BP - it's time for you to go solar.BMcC724: Oh BP - it's time for you to go solar.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/BMcC724/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222973708.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERBenC460Truth doesn't take sides367 Fans 20 minutes ago (10:59 AM)What are we waiting for? There's two perfectly good countries we can invade, Mali and Algeria. We are almost out of middle east ground wars. There is lots of money to be made on the blood of our troops. The corporate oil interest have to sustain thier record breaking profits somehow.
Jump on the bandwagon, invade invade invade, drill drill drill. YEE HAW!!BenC460: What are we waiting for? There's two perfectly good countrieshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/BenC460/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972620.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… RubberJohnnyIwork40hoursaweeksoyoudon'thaveto219 Fans 20 minutes ago (10:59 AM)Algeria is one of the largest producers of sweet crude oil in the world. It also supplies natural gas to Turkey and countries in Europe including France. Maybe this time this post will make it. Third time lucky maybe.RubberJohnny: Algeria is one of the largest producers of sweet crudehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/RubberJohnny/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972619.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERwipokerproTry to pry this Nerf gun from my cold...609 Fans 20 minutes ago (10:59 AM)Terrorist always want negotiations. America does not negotiate with terrorist. When will they learn. Send them a DRONE surprise.wipokerpro: Terrorist always want negotiations. America does not negotiate with terrorist.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/wipokerpro/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972606.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itHUFFPOST SUPER USERVerchielMy Macro-bio is empty, too...171 Fans 17 minutes ago (11:02 AM)I'm sure the hostages will be very surprised when they're incinerated along with their captors.Verchiel: I'm sure the hostages will be very surprised when they'rehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Verchiel/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222973353.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments…This comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Registered Nurse138 Fans 20 minutes ago (10:58 AM)Another casuality of Bush's war on terror, which ended up to accomplish absolutly nothing! Result of his invasions of Iraq and Afganastan which "made us safe".Registered_Nurse: Another casuality of Bush's war on terror, which ended uphttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Registered_Nurse/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972393.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… jameswallace263432 Fans 21 minutes ago (10:58 AM)Time for John McCain. Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins to get together and announce which Democrat is responsible for this outrage.jameswallace2634: Time for John McCain. Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins tohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/jameswallace2634/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972290.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… Einstein Was Right392 Fans 21 minutes ago (10:58 AM)While this is going on... a town in New Jersey want to BAN flying the American Flag...!
Tis once great nation is going over a cliff of it's own.Einstein_Was_Right: While this is going on... a town in New Jerseyhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Einstein_Was_Right/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222972239.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itjoebud221 Fans 16 minutes ago (11:02 AM)Somehow I have a feeling that was an oversight in the proposed regulation.joebud: Somehow I have a feeling that was an oversight inhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/joebud/algeria-hostage-crisis--6_n_2502057_222973494.htmlHistory |Permalink |Share itThis comment has been down-ranked into oblivion. View comment You have not right to carry out this operation or Error this operation. Loading comments… HUFFPOST SUPER USERmastheader1usmc57 9th grade dropout256 Fans 7 minutes ago (11:12 AM)people like you have been singing the same broken tune since the Independice of america
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