world-regions President emmanuel-macron” target=”_blank”>Emmanuel Macron< after they claimed to have shot and crime terrorism” target=”_blank”>Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi< and applauded the French effort, noting the impact al-Sahrawi’s death will have on future terrorist and extremist activity in the region.
A combination photo of U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson (L to R), U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Bryan Black, U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Dustin Wright and U.S. Special Forces Sgt. La David Johnson killed in Niger, West Africa on October 4, 2017, in these handout photos released October 18, 2017.
(Courtesy U.S. Army Special Operations Command/Handout via REUTERS)
“Adnan Abou Walid al Sahraoui, leader of the terrorist group Islamic State in the Greater Sahara was neutralized by French forces,” Macron tweeted. “This is another major success in our fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel.”
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“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,” his statement continued. “Their sacrifice is not in vain. With our African, European and American partners, we will continue this fight.”
A combination photo of U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson (L to R), U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Bryan Black, U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Dustin Wright and U.S. Special Forces Sgt. La David Johnson killed in Niger, West Africa on October 4, 2017, in these handout photos released October 18, 2017.
(Courtesy U.S. Army Special Operations Command/Handout via REUTERS)
The French government did not disclose how they identified al-Sahrawi, saying only that the operation had been executed weeks ago but that officials held off announcing its success until al-Sahrawi’s identity could be confirmed.
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“This reinforces our determination to fight terrorism with our partners in the Sahel, with our American and European partners,” French Defense Minister Florence Parly told reporters in Paris. “We will not leave the Sahel.”
Military Chief of Staff Thierry Burkhard said that Al-Sahrawi was on a motorcycle with one other person when a drone strike hit him near the Niger Border on Aug. 17.
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Rumors of the militant leader’s death had circulated for weeks in Mali, though authorities in the region had not confirmed it.
The White House, Pentagon and State Department did not return a Fox News request for comment.
France’s head of foreign intelligence, Bernard Emie, estimated that several hundred jihadist fighters remain in the area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
