Bamako (Mali): The French President announced the death of the Islamic State on the Greater Sahara leader on Wednesday, called Abu Al-Walid al-Sahrawi “Great Success” for the French Military after more than eight years fighting extremists in Sahel.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that Al Sahraoui was “neutralized by French forces” but did not provide further details.
Rumors of the death of militant leaders have been circulating for weeks in Mali, although there was no confirmation by the authorities in the region.
Not immediately clear where Al-Sahrawi was killed, even though the group of Islamic countries had been blamed for dozens of attacks along the border between Mali and Niger.
It is not immediately possible to verify the claim independently or to find out how remnants have been identified.
The French military has combed the extremists of Islam in the Sahel region where it used to be colonial power after intervention in North Mali in 2013.