Algerian militants are claiming that a botched military strike took out 34 of their hostages on Thursday. The day before, the kidnappers took some hundred Algerians and about 41 foreigners—including Norwegian, Japanese, British and American citizens—hostage at a natural gas plant as part of their protest against France’s actions against Mali. There’s a lot of confusion about just what’s going on with the hostages, with some outlets reporting that a number of hostages have escaped, and Reuters saying that only six hostages have been killed. A diplomat in the area has confirmed that there have been casualties among both the militants and the hostages but was unable to say just how many had been killed. Led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a seasoned solider, the “Masked Brigade” is demanding safe passage for them and their prisoners outside of the natural gas plant (pictured) where they’ve holed up …
