The leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was killed this week by French forces in Mali.
Although Abdelmalek Droukdel had a low public profile, he was one of the most powerful Islamist warlords in the region and his death is likely to have an impact on jihadist groups there.
Here is a round-up of views on Thursday’s incident and how it might have on the volatile region.
– How was he killed? –
Droukdel and other AQIM leaders met in a river valley in northern Mali late on June 3, according to a local source.
The remote desert valley, some 20 kilometres from the Algerian border, is often used as a watering hole for animals.
French forces moved quickly, first with an air strike that hit a vehicle, then with half a dozen helicopters and ground troops.
Droukdel was killed in the fighting along with AQIM’s propagandist Toufik Chaib.
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Source: Vanguard Newspaper
