France says head of ISIS in Sahara has been killed

French President Emmanuel Macron late on Wednesday announced the death of the leader of ISIS's Sahara affiliate.

Mr Macron called Adnan Abu Walid Al Sahrawi’s killing “a major success” for the French military after more than eight years of fighting extremists in the sub-Sahara.

He tweeted that Al Sahrawi “was neutralised by French forces” but gave no further details.

Defence Minister Florence Parly said Sahrawi died following a strike by France's Barkhane force, which battles jihadists in the sub-Sahara. “It is a decisive blow against this terrorist group,” she tweeted. “Our fight continues.”

The militant leader was behind the killing of French aid workers in 2020 and was also wanted by the US over a deadly 2017 attack on its troops in Niger. The US Thad offered a $5 million reward for information on his whereabouts.

Rumours of the militant leader’s death had circulated for weeks in Mali, although there had been no confirmation by authorities in the region.

It was not immediately clear where Al Sahrawi was killed, although his group has been blamed for dozens of attacks along the border between Mali and Niger.

The French military has been fighting extremists in the sub-Sahara region, where it was once the colonial power, after intervening in northern Mali in 2013.

However Mr Macron in June announced a major scale back in France's anti-militant Barkhane force in the sub-Sahara after more than eight years of military presence in the vast region to refocus on counter-terrorism operations and supporting local forces.

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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