Algeria begins a final assault to end the hostage crisis

Algerian forces have mounted another raid on the gas field in the Sahara in an attempt to free the remainder of some 40 hostages held there by Islamic militants, according to Algeria’s official news agency. The report says that 11 militants were killed in the raid and that they killed another seven of their captives. In a previous raid on Jan. 17, 18 hostage-takers and a dozen hostages were killed. A government official was quoted as saying “Basically, it’s over.”