Credited from: APNEWS
A Spanish citizen has reportedly been kidnapped in North Africa, as confirmed by the country's Foreign Ministry on January 17. While the ministry has refrained from detailing the specific location of the abduction, Spanish media outlets such as AP News and Reuters suggest that the individual was kidnapped in southern Algeria by a jihadist group and subsequently transported to Mali.
A spokesperson for the ministry stated, “Reliable sources confirm that a Spanish citizen is presently being held against his will in northern Africa.” The Spanish government has emphasized its commitment to resolving the situation and clarifying the details involved.
This incident surfaces amid escalating tensions in the region, particularly concerning the long-standing dispute over the Western Sahara, a territory that was once under Spanish control until 1975 and remains contested between Morocco and Algeria.
Although kidnappings in Algeria have decreased in recent years, this event has raised concerns. The ministry noted that Algerian authorities have yet to comment on the reported abduction, underscoring the fragile security situation in North Africa.
For further details, refer to the full articles on Reuters and AP News.