It is also unclear if their captors were common criminals or members of a faction of Al Qaeda, though most observers attribute the incident to terrorists. 
Haiko wazi vilevile ikiwa watekaji wao walikuwa wahalifu wa kawaida au wanachama wa kikundi cha Al Qaeda, ingawa waangalizi wengi wanalichukulia tukio hilo kama lililofanywa na magaidi.