Mali's state television has announced that a senior Islamic State (IS) commander, Abu Huzeifa, has been killed in a joint military operation involving troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The operation, which took place on Sunday in the northern town of Indelimane in the Menaka region, resulted in the death of the notorious commander, who had a $5 million US bounty on his head.
Abu Huzeifa, also known as Higgo, was a Moroccan national and a top commander in IS's self-styled Sahel Province. He was linked to several high-profile raids in the Sahel region, including a 2017 attack that killed four American soldiers and several troops from Niger. The US government had been seeking information on his whereabouts and had offered a significant reward for his capture.
The joint military operation that resulted in Abu Huzeifa's death is a significant development in the fight against jihadist fighters in the Sahel region. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all been struggling with relentless attacks from extremist groups, including IS and al-Qaeda. The three countries, which are all under military rule, have been developing close links with Russia and have been welcoming Russian military help while cutting ties with Western allies, including the US.
The operation that killed Abu Huzeifa was described as a "victory against a bane of evil" by Mali's state TV. The report said that the commander was killed in a "precise and daring operation" carried out by a force including troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The US government had previously identified Abu Huzeifa as a key figure in the 2017 attack on a US Special Forces team in Niger, which resulted in the deaths of four American and four Nigerien soldiers. IS later claimed responsibility for the attack, which was one of the deadliest attacks on US troops in Africa.
The death of Abu Huzeifa is a significant blow to IS's operations in the Sahel region. The group has been seeking to expand its influence in the region and has been responsible for numerous attacks on military and civilian targets. The joint military operation that killed Abu Huzeifa demonstrates the growing cooperation between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the fight against extremist groups.
The operation also highlights the increasing importance of Russian military help in the region. Russia has been expanding its military presence in Africa in recent years, and its influence is growing in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The US, which has traditionally been a key player in the region, has been scaling back its military presence in recent years, creating an opportunity for Russia to fill the void.
Overall, the death of Abu Huzeifa is a significant development in the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel region. The joint military operation that killed him demonstrates the growing cooperation between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and highlights the increasing importance of Russian military help in the region.
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