French Special Forces on Monday freed a Dutchman held hostage since being kidnapped in 2011 by extremists in Mali, the military said. There was no immediate word on the fate of two men abducted at the same time.
The military said the rescue of Sjaak Rijke took place at 5 a.m. on Monday in far northern Mali, and that several militants were captured. Monday’s statement did not identify who was holding Mr. Rijke, but the Dutchman appeared in a video posted in November by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Some 3,000 French forces are taking part in the mission to stabilize Mali, which was overrun by al-Qaeda-linked Islamic extremists until French troops came to the aid of Malian soldiers in January 2013.
Mr. Rijke was abducted by extremists in November 2011 from a hostel in Timbuktu along with Swede Johan Gustafsson and South African Stephen Malcolm, who holds dual British citizenship. A German died in the attack. Officials in France and the Netherlands did not say whether there was any news of Mr. Gustafsson or Mr. Malcolm. France said Mr. Rijke was safely evacuated to a French operating base in Tassalit.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said Mr. Rijke is being cared for by Dutch embassy staff and troops in Mali, and is doing well under the circumstances. “This is fantastic news for Sjaak and his family. I’m happy and relieved that this terrible period of uncertainty and sadness has been brought to an end,” Mr. Koenders said.
