Al Andalus, the media arm of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has demanded from the Spanish government “the freedom of our tortured detainees from your prisons” in exchange for the three Spanish hostages. Three Spaniards and one French national are being held in northern Mali at AQIM™s “security bases” and are reportedly in “good health.” Mauritania has vowed to improve its security situation after the abductions.
