Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. (Creative Commons)

Thirty of the hostages and 11 of the militants were killed. They had been holding the hostages in protest of France's intervention in Mali, but the French President, Francois Hollande, said that the hostage crisis is evidence of the validity of his intervention.

Algeria's Communications Minister, Mohamed Said, said that the combat had ended, but attempts to rescue some hostages are ongoing.

For more of Neon Tommy's coverage of the Algerian hostage crisis here.

Reach Executive Producer Cara Palmer here; follow her here.