A Spanish national abducted in North Africa on January 17 has been freed by Tuareg separatists in northern Mali, according to spokesmen for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
The man, identified as Gilbert Navarro, was reportedly kidnapped in southern Algeria before being transported to Mali. Spain’s Foreign Ministry had earlier confirmed the abduction but did not provide further details.
On Monday, FLA leader Attaye Ag Mohamed announced on social media platform X that Navarro had been rescued by the group and was “in good health.” He added that the former hostage would stay temporarily under the FLA’s protection before being handed over to Algerian authorities.
Another FLA spokesman, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, also confirmed Navarro’s release, stating that additional information would be shared later.
As of now, the Spanish Foreign Ministry has not commented further on the incident. Tuareg fighters in the region have been linked to various conflicts across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, contributing to instability in the Sahel.