Hostages Killed at BP Natural Gas Facility in Algeria

by AWR Hawkins -  (This story appeared here.  RK)

17 Jan 2013, 6:47 AM PDT 311post a comment

Many of the hostages who were seized yesterday at the BP natural gas facility in Algeria have been killed, according to reports.  Hostages from America, France, and Japan were among those taken, but there is no word on which ones were killed.   The killing apparently took place during a shootout, while militants were trying to move the hostages from one part of the facility to another and were subsequently taking heavy fire from Algerian forces.   There is no clear indication of whether American hostages are still alive, only news that militants have pledged to start killing off the remaining hostages if the Algerian Army closes in.  Militants seized the BP natural gas facility yesterday in retaliation for earlier French assaults on Malian rebels in southeast Algeria. The group "Signatories for Blood" claims responsibility for the seizure of the BP facility. (The article below appeared in Foreign Policy earlier in the day and gives some further depth to the story. RK)

Algerian troops and militants standoff in gas field siege - A standoff unfolded between Algerian troops and an estimated 20 militants at the Tigantourine gas plant in In Amenas, Algeria. The militants have taken dozens of hostages, including American, European, and Japanese citizens, as well as many Algerians. The gas field is jointly operated by BP, the Norwegian company Statoil, and Algerian state oil Sonatrach. According to Algerian news, 15 foreigners escaped on Thursday and between 30 and 40 Algerian hostages had been released, mostly female translators. But these reports have not been verified. Mokhtar Belmoktar, a top commander for al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is believed to be leading the attack. Two groups supposedly reporting to him have taken responsibility: the Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade and the Signed-in-Blood Battalion. The attackers are demanding an end to French military operations in Mali. Additionally, they are demanding safe passage out of Algeria with the hostages, but the Algerian government has refused to cooperate.