Release of American Employee in Niger After 6 Years

U.S. officials announced that an armed group released American aid worker Jeff Woodke after more than six years of captivity in Niger. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed his gratitude and relief on Twitter regarding the release of the hostage after more than six years in captivity and added that "the United States thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home." A senior U.S. official praised Niger's efforts to secure Woodke's release but refrained from disclosing his whereabouts on Monday. The official noted that there had been no direct negotiations with the armed group that held Woodke, adding that his release did not come in exchange for ransom or any form of compensation. It was not entirely clear where the armed group held the aid worker, but it is known that he was in multiple locations and countries. The official declined to name the group that held Woodke but described it as "a hostage-taking network operating in parts of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso." The announcement of Woodke's release came days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Niger on an official visit, becoming the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit the country.