France announced the assassination of a senior al-Qaeda official in Mali, Yahia Jouadi.

Published: 03.07.2022 – 13:46

The French Armed Forces Ministry announced on Monday the death of Yahia Djouadi, a senior historical leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in northern Mali, neutralized during a ground operation by French troops from Barhan.

France claims a deliberate killing of an al-Qaeda member in Mali. The General Staff of the Armed Forces announced on Monday, March 7, the death of Yahia Djouadi, the senior historical leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), who was killed during an operation by French troops.

On the night of February 25-26, 2022, Barkhane’s soldiers carried out an operation about 100 km north of Timbuktu, Mali, during which the jihadist was neutralized.

“After being located in an area known to be a haven for groups belonging to AQIM and JNIM, and then officially identified, he was neutralized by ground intervention supported by a Tiger reconnaissance and attack helicopter and two French drones.” , the press explains. graduation from the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

“In the course of the ensuing reconnaissance of the area, ammunition was destroyed and weapons were seized,” we read there.

The announcement came amid intense tensions between France and Mali’s transitional authorities, which led to the announcement of the withdrawal of French troops from the country on 17 February.