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| French troops free aid workers in northern Mali | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| French troops in Mali have freed five aid workers who were kidnapped in the north of the country in February. | French troops in Mali have freed five aid workers who were kidnapped in the north of the country in February. |
| The workers were released near the northern town of Timbuktu and were in good health, the French and Malian presidents said in a joint statement. | The workers were released near the northern town of Timbuktu and were in good health, the French and Malian presidents said in a joint statement. |
| Four of those captured worked for the Red Cross. At the time it was reported that they were kidnapped by the Mujao Islamist militant group. | Four of those captured worked for the Red Cross. At the time it was reported that they were kidnapped by the Mujao Islamist militant group. |
| Mujao was among the militant groups ousted from northern towns last year. | Mujao was among the militant groups ousted from northern towns last year. |
| France led the military intervention but attacks by al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have continued in Mali's vast northern region. | France led the military intervention but attacks by al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have continued in Mali's vast northern region. |
| 'Terrorist group' | |
| The five aid workers went missing while travelling in a 4x4 vehicle from Kidal to Gao on 8 February. | The five aid workers went missing while travelling in a 4x4 vehicle from Kidal to Gao on 8 February. |
| The statement released on Thursday said they had been seized by a "terrorist group" but did not give any further details. | The statement released on Thursday said they had been seized by a "terrorist group" but did not give any further details. |
| Islamist militants controlled the town of Gao between April 2012 and January 2013. | |
| Mali descended into chaos two years ago when a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup. | |
| This allowed Islamist militants to take over territory which they held for nearly a year until French and West African forces intervened. |