Gao, Mali, Rabi'I 26, 1438, December 25, 2016, SPA -- Authorities in northern Mali say a Swiss aid worker has been abducted in the town of Gao, AP reported. The kidnapping took place Saturday when three men stormed her house and took her and an orphan at the home. Hamadou Guindo, head of security for the governor of Gao, says a rescue operation has been launched. The town of Gao was occupied by extremists in 2012 until a French-led military operation forced them from power though remnants continue to stage attacks in the region. They frequently target U.N. peacekeeping patrols and Malian soldiers. Another Swiss woman has been abducted twice by extremists in the northern town of Timbuktu. She has been in captivity since her second kidnapping last January. -- SPA 00:41 LOCAL TIME 21:41 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w297832