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Algeria siege: Military operation under way Algeria siege: Military operation under way
(35 minutes later)
An Algerian military operation is under way at a gas facility in eastern Algeria where hostages are being held, the British Foreign Office says. An Algerian military operation is under way at a gas facility in eastern Algeria where hostages were being held, Algeria's state news agency reports.
Four foreign hostages were freed but the operation resulted in a number of "victims", APS agency said.
Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that kidnappers occupied on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that kidnappers occupied on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.
A local resident told Reuters news agency that a number of people had been killed in the operation.
Reports quoting militants said at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died.Reports quoting militants said at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died.
There was no official confirmation of any deaths.
Militants told Mauritania's ANI news agency that seven foreign hostages were still alive after the Algerian military raid.Militants told Mauritania's ANI news agency that seven foreign hostages were still alive after the Algerian military raid.
Four foreign hostages were freed during the operation, Algeria's state news agency APS reported. Four foreign hostages - two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya - were freed during the operation, APS reported.
Militants told local media that Algerian forces had opened fire from the air. It quoted an unnamed source as saying that "about half" the foreign hostages had been freed.
The Algerian military targeted two vehicles as they tried to escape from the site with an unknown number of people on board. Militants told local media that Algerian forces had opened fire from the air.
The militants earlier said they were holding 41 foreign nationals. They are believed to include British, Japanese, US and Norwegian citizens.The militants earlier said they were holding 41 foreign nationals. They are believed to include British, Japanese, US and Norwegian citizens.
Earlier, media reports and officials said a number of hostages had escaped from the gas facility.Earlier, media reports and officials said a number of hostages had escaped from the gas facility.
Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia earlier said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year.Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia earlier said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year.
One statement purported to be from the hostage-takers called for an end to the French military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighbouring Mali.One statement purported to be from the hostage-takers called for an end to the French military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighbouring Mali.
Algeria allowed France to use its airspace during its operation against Islamist militants who occupied northern Mali last year. The French operation began on Friday.Algeria allowed France to use its airspace during its operation against Islamist militants who occupied northern Mali last year. The French operation began on Friday.
The Tigantourine gas facility is about 40km (25 miles) south-west of In Amenas, which is close to the Libyan border and about 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.The Tigantourine gas facility is about 40km (25 miles) south-west of In Amenas, which is close to the Libyan border and about 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.
BP operates the gas field jointly with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and Norwegian firm Statoil.BP operates the gas field jointly with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and Norwegian firm Statoil.
"We have been informed by the UK and Algerian governments that the Algerian army is attempting to take control of the In Amenas site," BP said in a statement.
"Sadly, there have been some reports of casualties but we are still lacking any confirmed or reliable information."
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