France kills top Al Qaeda leader in Mali

Algerian Yahia Djouadi reportedly responsible for Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's financing and logistics

A Eurocopter Tiger at the French Military base in Gao in November 2019. Thirteen soldiers were killed after two helicopters collided during an operation. AFP

France has more than 4,500 troops in Africa's Sahel region. AP Photo

The helicopter crash was the deadliest attack since the French intervention began in 2013. AFP

In total, 38 French soldiers have been killed in the region. AFP

A French soldier secure a perimeter during a break in the military convoy's trip between Gossi and Hombori in March. AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron visits soldiers of Operation Barkhane in Gao in 2017. He expressed his 'deep sadness' at the news. AP

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that terrorist groups have strengthened their foothold across the Sahel. Reuters

A French gunner sits in a Puma helicopter flying near Tessalit in 2013. AFP

French soldiers of France's Barkhane are pictured next to a Eurocopter Tiger helicopter during the 2017 visit of the French President in Gao. AFP

France's Barkhane mission in central Mali in 2017. AFP

The French military said on Monday it had killed a senior Al Qaeda leader in Mali, as France prepares to send about 2,400 troops out of Mali to other countries in the Sahel.

Yahia Djouadi, an Algerian responsible for financing and logistics in the group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, was killed overnight between February 25 and 26.

An operation led by ground forces and supported by a Tiger attack helicopter and two drones killed Djouadi, also known as Abu Ammar Al Jazairi, 160 kilometres north of Timbuktu.

His death “once again weakens Al Qaeda's governance” in Mali, the French military said, calling him “a major link in northern Mali and especially the Timbuktu area” to Al Qaeda-aligned GSIM.

While the French military pullout is set to stretch over six months, the army said that “operations continue against armed terrorist groups, especially against the top leaders” of groups linked to ISIS and Al Qaeda.

French forces first intervened in Mali in 2013, but the operation was scrapped due to a row between Paris and Bamako following a military coup in the Sahel country in 2020.