A French aid worker who runs a charity for children in Mali was kidnapped, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

    The Ministry of Foreign of Affairs said in a statement that the aid worker, called Sophie Petronin, was kidnapped in Gao. The statement added that French soldiers are working tirelessly to find her.

    Some 4000 French troops are involved in operation Burkhane which aims to combat militants. A large number of the troops are based in Gao. It is worth noting that the North of Mali has been facing instability, with a large area of that region out of the control of Malian security and in the hands of armed militants.

Source: QNA