18/01/2013
Belfast Hostage Ready To Come Home
A Belfast man who had been kidnapped by militants in Algeria is making arrangements to return home.
36-year-old Stephen McFaul had been held at a BP gas facility along with other foreign nationals.
It has emerged Mr McFaul was able to escape after the jeep in which he was travelling crashed.
So far one Briton and an Algerian have been killed in the ongoing situation, with the details surrounding the number and nationalities of the rest of the hostages unclear.
David Cameron has said the UK should prepare itself for bad news.
Algerian troops surrounded the facility during the week and launched a military operation.
It has been reported that Algerian forces may have used helicopter gunships to attack the compound, even as hostages were being moved around the site.
It is thought the kidnappers are Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Militants have now confirmed, amid speculation in the media, that the hostages are being held in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.
French troops have been stationed in Mali since last week, following a militant Islamist uprising.
(IT)
36-year-old Stephen McFaul had been held at a BP gas facility along with other foreign nationals.
It has emerged Mr McFaul was able to escape after the jeep in which he was travelling crashed.
So far one Briton and an Algerian have been killed in the ongoing situation, with the details surrounding the number and nationalities of the rest of the hostages unclear.
David Cameron has said the UK should prepare itself for bad news.
Algerian troops surrounded the facility during the week and launched a military operation.
It has been reported that Algerian forces may have used helicopter gunships to attack the compound, even as hostages were being moved around the site.
It is thought the kidnappers are Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a former senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Militants have now confirmed, amid speculation in the media, that the hostages are being held in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.
French troops have been stationed in Mali since last week, following a militant Islamist uprising.
(IT)
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17 January 2013
NI Man Still Held Hostage In Algeria
A man from Northern Ireland is still being held hostage by a group of Islamic militants in Algeria. The 36-year-old Belfast man is being held at a gas facility at In Amenas, in the east of the country. About 20 foreign nationals are thought be held hostage by the group, which attacked and occupied the gas facility on Wednesday.
NI Man Still Held Hostage In Algeria
A man from Northern Ireland is still being held hostage by a group of Islamic militants in Algeria. The 36-year-old Belfast man is being held at a gas facility at In Amenas, in the east of the country. About 20 foreign nationals are thought be held hostage by the group, which attacked and occupied the gas facility on Wednesday.
16 January 2013
NI Man Abducted By Algerian Militants
A Northern Irish man is among a group of foreigners abducted by Islamist militants in eastern Algeria. Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and the rest abducted following an attack on a gas facility. Islamist militants thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda say they carried out the attack.
NI Man Abducted By Algerian Militants
A Northern Irish man is among a group of foreigners abducted by Islamist militants in eastern Algeria. Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and the rest abducted following an attack on a gas facility. Islamist militants thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda say they carried out the attack.
27 June 2023
NI Being 'Held Hostage' By Refusal To Form Govt – Greens
Northern Ireland is being held hostage by political parties who refuse to form a government, Green Party NI representative Rachel Woods has said. Cllr Woods has called for urgent action to address cuts to the Affordable Warmth Scheme, stating that to earmark the scheme for cuts without appropriate replacements "isn't acceptable".
NI Being 'Held Hostage' By Refusal To Form Govt – Greens
Northern Ireland is being held hostage by political parties who refuse to form a government, Green Party NI representative Rachel Woods has said. Cllr Woods has called for urgent action to address cuts to the Affordable Warmth Scheme, stating that to earmark the scheme for cuts without appropriate replacements "isn't acceptable".
03 March 2014
Family Held Hostage In Co Down
A family has been held hostage by a gang in Co Down it has been reported. At around 8.30pm on Sunday, a number of men are said to have forced their way into a property on Smalls Road, Warrenpoint. Three members of a family were in the house at the time.
Family Held Hostage In Co Down
A family has been held hostage by a gang in Co Down it has been reported. At around 8.30pm on Sunday, a number of men are said to have forced their way into a property on Smalls Road, Warrenpoint. Three members of a family were in the house at the time.
06 February 2014
Family Held Hostage In Robbery
Two members of the same family have been held hostage during a robbery in west Belfast. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning (5 January). It is understood the family were tricked into letting a man, who had been disguised as a postman, into their home. He then produced a gun and demanded money.
Family Held Hostage In Robbery
Two members of the same family have been held hostage during a robbery in west Belfast. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning (5 January). It is understood the family were tricked into letting a man, who had been disguised as a postman, into their home. He then produced a gun and demanded money.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.