French forces killed the leader of the Islamic State group in the Great Sahara

France has just scored a big point in its fight against the jihadists. The head of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) group, Adnan Abou Walid al-Sahraoui, was killed by French forces, Emmanuel Macron announced on Twitter overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.

“This is another major success in the fight we are waging against terrorist groups in the Sahel,” said the French president. The EIGS is considered to be the author of most of the attacks in the so-called “three borders” area, straddling Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), affiliated with Al-Qaida, is also active there.

“We will continue this fight”

The EIGS had notably targeted American soldiers in a deadly attack in 2017. On August 9, 2020, in Niger, the head of the EIGS had personally ordered the assassination of six French aid workers and their Nigerien guide and driver. . “The Nation is thinking this evening of all its heroes who died for France in the Sahel in the Serval and Barkhane operations, of the bereaved families, of all of its wounded. Their sacrifice is not in vain. With our African, European and American partners, we will continue this fight, ”added Emmanuel Macron in another tweet.

Already in June and July the French army killed several high-ranking executives of the EIGS, as part of its strategy to target the leaders and executives of jihadist organizations. But, after more than eight years of significant engagement, Emmanuel Macron announced in June a reduction of the French military presence in the Sahel and the end of the anti-jihadist operation Barkhane in favor of a tightened device, refocused on counter operations. -terrorism and support in the fight of local armies, around an international alliance bringing together Europeans.