Hollande's Mali campaign seen as pretext to snatch resources. (VIDEO)

The hostage crisis in Algeria has ended - with 23 captives and 32 militants confirmed dead following a four-day military operation. A total of 685 people, including 107 foreigners were freed from a gas plant in the Sahara desert.

The Libyan militant group behind the initial attack claimed they're avenging French intervention in neighboring Mali. Many see Hollande's military campaign in West Africa as a hunt for natural resources.