Niger Hostages Reportedly Freed After 18 Months

An Austrian and a Swiss woman kidnapped in Niger in 2025 have been freed after roughly 18 months in captivity and flown to Benghazi, Libya, according to media reports and official sources. The women were identified as Eva Gretzmacher, in her 70s, and 69-year-old Claudia Abbt; it remains unclear who held them or what demands were made. Libyan broadcaster al-Masar said Saddam Haftar helped secure their release, and footage showed the women thanking him and his father, Khalifa Haftar. The women are expected to be handed over to authorities from their respective countries after required procedures; the video has not been independently verified by Deutsche Welle.