French Forces Free Dutch National Kidnapped by Islamists in Mali

French forces freed a Dutch citizen Sjaak Rijke who was kidnapped by Islamists in November 2011 in Mali.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — French forces have freed a Dutch national kidnapped by Islamists in Mali in 2011, the French Defense Ministry said Monday.

Dutch citizen Sjaak Rijke was kidnapped in November 2011 in the North of Mali by the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group.

“France will continue its efforts to counter terrorism in Sahel countries as long as our security remains under threat of these groups. Together with our allies and partners in the region, 3000 soldiers participating in the Barkhane operation were congratulated by our people,” French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement.

Mali, a French colony until 1960, has been in turmoil since a 2012 military coup, which triggered an uprising of separatist tribes in the country's north. The revolt was quickly joined by Islamist groups with links to al-Qaeda, including AQIM.

In 2014, France launched operation Barkhane and sent 3,000 servicemen to Mali in an attempt to crack down on the Islamist insurgency in its former colony. Five other countries, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, participate in the anti-terrorist operation.