In Amenas hostage crisis

In Amenas hostage crisis
LocationWest of In Amenas, Algeria
Coordinates27°53′49″N 09°07′37″E / 27.89694°N 9.12694°E / 27.89694; 9.12694
Date16 January 2013 (2013-01-16)–19 January 2013 (2013-01-19) (CETUTC +1)
TargetInternational natural gas plant workers
Attack type
Ambush, siege, hostage crisis
Weapons
Deaths67 (37 foreign hostages, an Algerian security guard and 29 terrorists)[1][2][3]
InjuredUnknown
PerpetratorsAl-Mourabitoun jihadists
MotiveOpposition against Operation Serval

The In Amenas hostage crisis began on 16 January 2013, when al-Qaeda-linked terrorists affiliated with a brigade led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar took expat hostages at the Tigantourine gas facility near In Amenas, Algeria.[4] One of Belmokhtar's senior lieutenants, Abdul al Nigeri, led the attack[5] and was among the terrorists killed.[6] After four days, the Algerian special forces raided the site, in an effort to free the hostages.[7]

At least 39 foreign hostages were killed along with an Algerian security guard, although the true figure is not known, as were 29 terrorists.[8] A total of 685 Algerian workers and 107 foreigners were freed.[1][9] Three terrorists were captured.[8]

It was one of many attacks in the Maghreb carried out by Islamist groups since 2002. There is evidence that the threat was increasing prior to this incident.[10] There is also evidence of a direct threat to expat workers.[11]

  1. ^ a b Laura Smith-Spark; Joe Sterling (19 January 2013). "Bloody Algeria hostage crisis ends after 'final' assault, officials say". CNN. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. ^ Lamine Chikhi (20 January 2013). "Algeria hostage crisis death toll hits 80, could rise further". Reuters. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Algeria hostage crisis: Japan confirms two more deaths". BBC. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Amenas Hostage Crisis: Oil Workers 'Killed' in Algeria Air Strikes". Rigzone. 17 January 2013.
  5. ^ Nigerien jihadist identified as commander of Algerian hostage operation
  6. ^ "Algeria hostage crisis over after further casualties". The Guardian. 20 January 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Thirty hostages reported killed in Algeria assault". Reuters. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Algeria details the deaths at In Amenas siege". Euronews. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Algeria siege: 37 foreigners died, PM says". BBC. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  10. ^ In Amenas inquest hears of increasing threats to British expats in North Africa. The Guardian. 17 September 2014
  11. ^ "Algeria gas plant bosses were ‘warned of bloodshed' before the attack". The Telegraph. 16 September 2014 (paywall)

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