Algeria's Concerns Amid Foreign Intervention in Mali

Militants in Algeria who seized a natural gas processing facility on Jan. 16 have demanded that France halt its operations against Islamist militants in northern Mali before hostages taken at the facility are released. Still, despite the rhetoric referencing Mali, there is reason to suspect that the kidnappings may be financially motivated.

Whatever the reason, the timing of this attack places it within the context of the foreign intervention in Mali and illustrates long-held Algerian concerns about bearing the brunt of reprisal attacks. The Algerian army has reportedly deployed attack helicopters, likely Mi-24 gunships, during the siege. Reports have emerged that these helicopters have now been employed to strafe and attack the hostage-takers' positions, killing 34 hostages and 15 kidnappers in the process.