11 British Soldiers Reported Seized in Sierra Leone
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FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — A group of British soldiers reported missing in this war-torn West African country has been taken hostage by renegade Sierra Leonean soldiers, diplomatic and military sources said Saturday.
British forces lost contact with the 11 soldiers Friday around the towns of Masiaka and Forudugu, about 45 miles east of the capital, Freetown, force commander Brig. Gordon Hughes said in a statement. A radio message received from the group Saturday indicated that they were being held against their will, a Ministry of Defense spokesman said later in London.
The British troops were stationed at Benguema, where British instructors are training Sierra Leonean army recruits.
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