BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Four Moroccan truck drivers, who were kidnapped in January 2025 by the Islamic State group while traveling in West Africa, have been released after months of captivity, according to reports from Malian authorities. The truck drivers were engaged in a 3,000-mile journey to deliver electrical equipment from Casablanca, Morocco, to Niamey, the capital of Niger, when they were reported missing on January 18, 2025, in northeastern Burkina Faso, near the Niger border.

The Malian government confirmed their release in a statement broadcast on public television late Monday evening, stating that the drivers were found "safe and sound." The statement clarified that the four individuals had been held by the Islamic State's Sahel Province, a subgroup of the broader Islamic State group. Footage aired by Malian public television depicted the truck drivers dressed in traditional Malian attire, being accompanied by the junta leader, General Assimi Goïta.

Malian authorities highlighted that the successful release was a result of coordinated efforts between Mali’s National State Security Agency and Morocco’s foreign intelligence service. This collaboration reflects the intricate security dynamics in the region, where countries are increasingly partnering to combat threats from extremist groups.

Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has been grappling with an insurgency involving armed groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State for over a decade. After a series of military coups, the three countries expelled French forces and sought assistance from Russian mercenary units; however, the security situation has continued to deteriorate.

In May 2025, extremist fighters kidnapped two Chinese nationals during an attack on an artisanal gold mining site in Mali, further underscoring the rising violence and challenges faced by civilians and foreign nationals in the region.

Additionally, in February of this year, Moroccan authorities arrested a dozen individuals who were on the verge of launching attacks on behalf of the Islamic State’s Sahel Province subgroup, demonstrating the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups not just in Mali but across the Sahel region.

In light of these developments, Morocco has sought to establish itself as a regional leader and has been working on fostering strong ties with Sahel countries. The foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are backing a Moroccan initiative that would grant them access to the Atlantic Ocean through Moroccan ports, indicating a potential shift in regional alliances and cooperation.

Last year, Morocco also played a mediating role in the release of four French intelligence agents who were held captive in Burkina Faso, further solidifying its position in regional diplomacy and security matters.

In conclusion, the release of the Moroccan truck drivers marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle against extremism in West Africa, highlighting the effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing kidnapping and security challenges in the region.