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الصحيفة
Algerian Influence in Sahel Hit by Field Crises
Libyan forces, in collaboration with mediation efforts by Khalifa Haftar, succeeded in freeing two European hostages who had been detained in Niger for over a year and a half, and transferring them to Benghazi in eastern Libya. The hostages—Austrian Eva Gretzmacher (76 years old) and Swiss Claudia Apt (around seventy)—were kidnapped in the northern Niger city of Agadez in 2025. It is suspected that the Islamic State in the Sahel was behind their captivity. Following a gentle intervention by the deputy commander of the Libyan army, the women were released from captivity and traveled to Libya, where they expressed relief and gratitude to Khalifa Haftar and his son, Saddam. The latter is seen as part of broader efforts to expand Libyan influence in the region. This operation occurs within the context of Algeria’s efforts to bolster its security and military influence in the Sahel, despite previous tensions with regional countries. Algeria has sent military equipment and fighter jets to Niger and is paying close attention to economic and developmental cooperation, reflecting an attempt to reshape the balance of power and influence in the area.
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