Paris, Jumada II 17, 1436, Apr 6, 2015, SPA -- French special forces on Monday freed a Dutchman held hostage since being kidnapped in 2011 by extremists in Mali, the government said. There was no word on the fate of two men abducted at the same time, AP reported. The French military said the rescue of Sjaak Rijke took place at 5 a.m. Monday in far northern Mali. French President Francois Hollande said some militants were killed and others captured. Monday's statement did not identify who was holding Rijke, but the Dutchman appeared in a video posted in November. -- SPA 21:34 LOCAL TIME 18:34 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w