Militants Attack Gas Refinery in Algeria

Militants Attack Gas Refinery in Algeria

    Saturday, 19 January 2013 00:00
Algerian army launched an offensive against the militants holding 41 foreigners in Amenas gas field complex, eastern Algeria, Thursday (17/1). The attack resulted in 30 hostages and 11 militants were killed in an attempt to free the hostages were being held at that location by a group of men bersenjata.30 Hostages Killed, 1 citizen-Free
JAKARTA (HK) - Algerian army launched an offensive against the militants holding 41 foreigners in Amenas gas field complex, eastern Algeria, Thursday (17/1). The attack resulted in 30 hostages and 11 militants were killed in an attempt to free the hostages were being held at that location by a group of armed men.
Local government official told the Reuters news agency, 30 hostages and 11 militants were killed in the attack Algerian troops. Another source said the 25 hostages reportedly fleeing for his life and four others were freed, one of which comes from the Indonesian initials AA.
While the Mauritanian news agency, ANI, reported that seven foreign nationals still held hostage militant group, which consists of two citizens of the United States (U.S.), three citizens of Belgium, one Japanese citizen and a British citizen.
But the hostage takers told ANI, as many as 34 hostages and 15 militants were killed after a military helicopter shooting Algeria convoy of vehicles carrying the hostages. Leader of the militant group, Abu al-Baraa, was among those killed.
Factual situation surrounding the attack can not be confirmed because the Algerian government has not been willing to give an official statement. British officials, Japan, Norway, and France just said they had been told by the Algerian authorities that the ongoing military operations.
Abductor group, consisting of 20 people and claimed to be from the militant group named "Battalion Blood", claimed to have attacked the gas field Amenas, Wednesday (16/1) morning. The attack killed one Briton and an Algerian citizen. One local media added Algeria, a French citizen participate killed.
The attackers also admitted holding 41 foreigners, who came from Austria, Norway, France, USA, UK, Romania, Colombia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. Amenas gas fields operated jointly by the British company BP, Statoil of Norway, and the Algerian company, Sonatrach.
The militant group claimed to launch the action as a protest against foreign military intervention in northern Mali who spearheaded the French, since Friday last week.
The demands of the kidnappers also addressed to Algiers. They urged the government to release members of the group were arrested by security forces in exchange for foreign prisoners. Algiers is also under attack for allowing the air space to attack the French used their network in northern Mali.
"Algeria was chosen to be the target of the operation to tell President Abdelaziz Bouteflika that we do not accept the humiliation of honor of the Algerian people to open up space for the Algerian Air France plane," the group said in a statement.
Congratulations citizens
A citizen of Indonesia (WNI) has been released from the initials AA hostage by armed groups in the mine and refinery complex in the city gas Inamenas, Tigaritourine, Ilizi, Algeria, in a safe condition. AA released on Wednesday (16/1).
"Embassy in Alger said that AA had left for London yesterday evening to continue the journey to the country," said Director of Information and Media Ministry of Foreign Affairs, P Priatna, in a press release on Friday (18/1).
Priatna explained that AA works for the oil company British Petroleum (BP). Head of Political Affairs Embassy in Alger told him had been in communication with the Government of Algeria to ensure the protection and liberation of AA.
Attack complex of mines and gas refineries managed with Algerian Sonatrach, British Petroleum, Statoil and Norway took place on Wednesday (16/1) morning. Mentioned, the attacks carried out by armed terrorist members 20-25.
At that time, gunmen seized 41 workers from various countries and around 200 workers Algeria. A total of 105 people managed to free, including AA.
However, two British and Algerian workers were killed and seven others were wounded in a gunfight between terrorists and security forces.
Al Qaeda terrorists
Algerian Interior Minister Dahou Ould Kablia said that the government will not want to negotiate with "terrorists". He said, a group linked to Al Qaeda was being besieged military and other security forces.
One of the leaders of al Qaeda in North Africa (AQIM), Mokhtar Belmokhtar, also known as a veteran of the war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s claimed responsibility for the action in the Amenas.
Belmokhtar nicknamed "The Eye One" for always wearing a blindfold since lost one of his eyes.
The reaction to the murder and kidnapping emerged. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the incident was "dangerous and the situation will evolve rapidly". Prime Minister David Cameron has been talking to Bouteflika, and London sent a special team to address such cases.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary confirmed Yoshihide Suga, has held an emergency meeting of the Algerian-related incidents. Japan to act fast to handle and work with relevant countries.
In northern Mali, fierce fighting continued between militants and the army of France and Mali. Chad to send 2,000 troops to strengthen other foreign troops led France to confine the armed militias.
French President Francois Hollande said the hostage drama, which has raised fears of further militant attacks, showed that he was sending troops to the relevant step Mali. France sent more than 1,000 troops in reserve forces in support of the government of West Africa Mali. (Tmp / dtc / com)