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US, France Confirm Death of Key al-Qaida Emir in Africa

Jeff Seldin

   The United States says there is no doubt that the long-time leader of a
   key al-Qaida terror group affiliate in North Africa is dead.

   Officials with U.S. Africa Command Saturday confirmed the death of
   Abdelmalek Droukdel, the emir of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb
   (AQIM), citing an independent assessment of a June 3 operation led by
   France.

   "This mission is a collective win," U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)
   spokesman Colonel Chris Karns told VOA.

   "This was a great example of cooperation and partnership to get after a
   common threat," he said, praising France's commitment to fighting both
   al-Qaida and Islamic State-linked terror groups in Africa.

   French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly first announced Droukdel's
   death in a series of tweets late Friday.

   "On June 3, French army forces, with the support of their local
   partners, killed the emir of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb,
   Abdelmalek Droukdel, and several of his closest collaborators, during
   an operation in northern Mali," she said.

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