French special forces on Monday freed a Dutchman held hostage since being kidnapped in 2011 by extremists in Mali, the government said. The military said the rescue of Sjaak Rijke took place at 5 a.m. Monday in far northern Mali. French President Francois Hollande said some militants were killed and others captured. Some 3,000 French forces are taking part in the mission to stabilize Mali. Hollande said the special forces had planned the operation against the extremists without knowing Rijke was among them, AP reported.
