PARIS, June 5 (KUNA) -- French forces, working with their local partners, have killed the leader of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terror organisation in an operation that took place on June 3, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said.
In a statement, Parly revealed that Abdelmalek Droukdal and several of his close collaborators were "neutralised" in an attack against his group in northern Mali.
The Al-Qaeda leader was known to be in charge of operations in North Africa and in the Sahel and commanded one of the main terrorist groups in the region.
"I congratulate and thank all those who enabled and carried out these daring operations, which severely strike these terrorist groups. Our forces, in cooperation with their G5 Sahel partners, will continue to track them relentlessly," Parly said. (end) jk.ibi