Spanish authorities today confirmed that a Spanish tourist was abducted by Islamic State militants in an attack near the Algeria-Mali border.

The male victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was traveling with a group of tourists on Wednesday night when he was attacked by members of the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara (ISGS).

According to Spanish news agency EFE, the terrorists took the group at gunpoint and then released all the other members, leaving one Spaniard as a hostage.

Initial reports Wednesday night suggested the victim may be a Spanish-speaking woman, but authorities later confirmed the hostage was a man.

read more: Spain’s Armed Forces will continue to operate in Valencia flood zone “as long as necessary”, Defense Minister says

Terrorists attacked them on the Algeria-Mali border

The Spanish government has launched an urgent investigation into the circumstances of the kidnapping, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued an official statement.

The incident has raised new concerns about the safety of European tourists in the region, particularly along the popular Sahara desert route that attracts thousands of adventurous travelers each year.

This latest incident marks a worrying resurgence of ISIS activity in the region, where it maintains a presence despite large-scale military operations against the terrorist group.

read more: Italian bar owner who raped drunk customer on Spain’s Mallorca island avoids prison in exchange for €8,000 payment and ‘re-education programme’

The Sahel region, which includes southern Algeria and parts of Mali, has become increasingly dangerous for Western tourists in recent years, with various jihadist groups operating across the vast desert.

Spanish authorities are working closely with Algerian authorities to unravel the details of the incident, while security forces in both countries are on heightened alert.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here