France calls killing of Islamic State leader big victory
The Hindu
France killed the leader of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara because the group attacked French aid workers, African civilians and U.S. troops, French officials said on Thursday, calling him “enemy
France killed the leader of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara because the group attacked French aid workers, African civilians and U.S. troops, French officials said on Thursday, calling him “enemy No. 1” in protracted anti-terrorism efforts in the Sahel.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi overnight. According to Mr. Macron's office, Mr. al-Sahrawi personally ordered the killing of six French aid workers and their Nigerien colleagues last year, and his group was behind a 2017 attack that killed U.S. and Niger military personnel.
He was killed in a strike by France’s Barkhane military operation “a few weeks ago”, but authorities waited to be sure of his identity before making the announcement, French Defence Minister Florence Parly told on Thursday.