Insurgents operating as Al-Qaeda’s north African wing have been active in the Sahara desert and have kidnapped several foreigners, but until now most of their activities have been in areas of the desert south of Algeria’s borders.
The woman was kidnapped on Wednesday night in the desert south of the Algerian town of Djanet, the official agency reported. It said a major operation, involving security services and the military, was under way to find the woman.
The kidnappers allowed the woman to use a satellite telephone to call her tour operator, who then notified the authorities, the agency reported.
An Algerian government security source confirmed to Reuters that the woman had been kidnapped and said it was believed to be the work of a group of young men affiliated to Al-Qaeda’s local branch, known as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The source said the hostage was a 56-year-old woman and she was in an area of the desert frequented by tourists when she was seized. She was kidnapped along with her guide and a cook, but they were released, the source said.
The source said security services believe the kidnappers were a group of local young men who had been in prison and joined AQIM soon after they were released five or six months ago.
