Two French soldiers died in the operation in Burkina Faso, which is increasingly beset by terrorism.
This undated photograph obtained on May 10, 2019, shows Laurent Lassimouillas and Patrick Picque posing at an undisclosed location. The two were kidnapped May 1 in Benin. By Danielle Paquette Danielle Paquette West Africa bureau chief Email Bio Follow May 10 at 11:23 AM DAKAR, Senegal — French forces have freed four hostages — including an American citizen — in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, where Islamist violence is surging, the French government said Friday.
The raid also released the American and a South Korean citizen, whose identities have not been made public. The French Navy tweeted photos Friday of the soldiers who died and said the military was “mourning” with their families. The images depict both men smiling in camouflage gear. Burkina Faso, a former French colony where more than three-quarters of the people work in farming, was recently considered to be a safe place, with sprawling parks, an international arts and crafts fair and a biennial film festival.
French officials warn tourists to stay away from the borders. Terrorist groups see capturing foreign visitors as opportunities to bag ransom payments.
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