Kidnapped By Daesh Militants Since Early 2025, 4 Morocco Truck Drivers Freed In Mali

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JAKARTA - Four truck drivers from Morocco who were kidnapped by Daesh militants in January 2025 in West Africa were released in Mali.

Citing AFP, Tuesday, August 5, Mali authorities said in a press conference broadcast on public television Monday evening local time that truck drivers were released "safely" on Sunday evening.

The four truck drivers were initially reported missing on January 18, 2025, in northeastern Burkina Faso, near the border with Niger.

They were observed traveling 3,000 miles to transport electrical equipment from Casablanca to Niamey, the capital of Niger. They were kidnapped on the way.

In a press conference, the Mali Government said the four drivers were detained by the Daesh militants, a subgroup of the Islamic State group.

On that occasion, the drivers wearing traditional Mali clothes were accompanied by junta leader General Assimi Goita giving a statement.

The Mali government said their release was possible thanks to coordinated efforts between the Mali National State Security Agency and the Morocco foreign intelligence service.