An American citizen is among a group of four hostages who have been freed in western Africa following a French special forces military operation, the Elysee announced Friday.
France said the hostages were rescued Thursday night following a battle in Burkina Faso that left two of its soldiers dead.
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The statement from France said President Emmanuel Macron "bows with emotion and gravity at the sacrifice of our two soldiers, who gave their lives to save those of our fellow citizens".
They were identified as petty officers Cédric de Pierrepont and Alain Bertoncello. A Facebook post by the French Navy added that both men received numerous awards and recognitions throughout their military careers, such as the Gold Level of the National Defense Medal.
Cédric de Pierrepont, left, and Alain Bertoncello were killed Thursday during a hostage rescue mission in Burkina Faso, France says. (French Navy)
The hostages that were rescued, according to France, were a U.S. citizen, a South Korean national, as well as French nationals Patrick Picque and Laurent Lassimouillas.
The Frenchmen were tourists who were kidnapped during a safari in Benin last week, Reuters reported. The circumstances surrounding the capture of the other two were not immediately clear.
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Islamic extremists have become increasingly active in Burkina Faso, raising worries the militants could be infiltrating northern Benin and neighboring Togo as well.
The raid that saved the hostages happened Thursday night in the Western African nation of Burkina Faso, France says. (Google Maps)
The Sahel region near where the French citizens were kidnapped is as an ecological transition zone between the Sahara desert and Africa’s savannahs farther south. It has been roamed by militants in recent years who have targeted French nationals and other Europeans for kidnappings and demanded millions of dollars for their release.
The U.S. State Department, in a travel advisory issued in early April, warned Americans to "reconsider travel" to Burkina Faso as "terrorist groups continue plotting attacks and kidnappings... and may conduct attacks anywhere."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/american-hostage-freed-in-africa-french-soldiers-killed
2019-05-10 14:57:07Z
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