A $50 million hostage ransom funded al-Qaeda terrorism in West Africa, UN says
- ByREUTERSAUGUST 15, 2026 09:51An estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mali in late 2025 has helped to fund their advances across West Africa and the group's global network, United Nations experts said.
- A new UN report detailing the use of the ransom did not identify the hostage or say who had made the payment.
- Three regional sources identified the country that made the payment as the United Arab Emirates.
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- ByREUTERSAUGUST 15, 2026 09:51An estimated $50 million ransom paid to free a hostage seized by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mali in late 2025 has helped to fund their advances across West Africa and the group's global network, United Nations experts said.
- A new UN report detailing the use of the ransom did not identify the hostage or say who had made the payment.
- Three regional sources identified the country that made the payment as the United Arab Emirates.
Sources: Jpost