In a Moroccan intelligence-coordinated operation, four Moroccan drivers were freed after being kidnapped by ISIS in Burkina Faso.
The Malian government announced on Sunday evening, August 3, that the drivers had been abducted on January 18, 2025, in northeastern Burkina Faso, near the border with Niger, by the Islamic State in the Sahel region, the local arm of ISIS.
The operation, which ended seven months of captivity, was the result of direct intelligence coordination between the Moroccan General Directorate for Studies and Documentation (DGED) and Mali’s National Agency for State Security, according to an official statement broadcast by Malian television.
The DGED led a series of precise investigations from the early hours of the kidnapping, professionally following the case to identify the kidnappers and the location of the hostages, while continuously coordinating security efforts with the Malian side.
Malian official sources confirmed that the successful rescue of the drivers was attributed to what they described as “determination and effectiveness” displayed by Moroccan authorities, noting that security cooperation with Rabat was crucial in resolving this case without casualties.
The statement did not provide specific details about the circumstances of the release or whether a field operation was conducted, but highlighted that the four drivers were released in good health and are currently under the necessary medical and security care.
Morocco’s actions in this case further illustrates the effectiveness of its intelligence system in managing cross-border crises, especially in the Sahel region, which has seen increased activity from extremist groups.
