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January 21, 2013 Islamist militants attacked a gas plant last Wednesday and took hostages. Algerian forces were able to regain control of the facility on Saturday. They've found bodies inside. It isn't clear how many of the dead were hostages. Three Americans are among the dead, U.S. officials say.

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January 19, 2013 Algerian special forces stormed a gas installation where militants were holding several hostages on Saturday, according to Algeria's state media. The reports claim 11 militants and seven hostages were killed during a final assault to end the four-day crisis.

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January 19, 2013 Algeria has been acting alone in the hostage situation at the remote In Amenas natural gas field, relying on its years of experience fighting terrorism internally. It has turned down offers of support and advice from other nations, including the U.S. Yet any anger over Algeria's go-it-alone approach has been muted; the nation is a critical ally of the U.S.

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January 18, 2013 The Algerian authorities moved quickly after hostages were taken at a gas plant in the Sahara desert. While details of that operation are still fuzzy, such actions are inherently risky.

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January 18, 2013 Militants seized hostages earlier this week at a gas plant in eastern Algeria. A military raid freed some and reportedly caused the deaths of others. American officials believe 10 Americans were there when the plant was attacked. Some Americans reportedly escaped.

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