Mokhtar Belmokhtar, AQIMs 2nd-in-Command, Killed in Mali

Well that was quick…

Just a few days ago I reported on the death of Abou Zeid, al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb’s (AQIM) number three man in the region.  I believe the exact quote I used was: “Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud. (Yes, you two are next, in case you were wondering.)”

I’m happy to announce that according to official reports coming in from the battlefields of Northern Mali – Chadian ground forces (doubtful, but possible), have killed Belmokhtar in fighting in the same area where Zeid was killed just days ago in the Adrar des Ifoghas region of Mali’s extreme Northeast. Belmokhtar was also the mastermind behind last month’s terrorist attack against the natural gas facility in Eastern Algeria that claimed the life of more than 30 people and earlier this month, he became the main target by French special operations forces following the capture of the major Islamist-held cities. Read more here: French SOF Begin Hunt for AQIM Chief and Hostages.

AQIMs Chief Emir, Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud is the last remaining top commander. I’ll go ahead and get a head start and write up a draft of his future obituary.

Iassen out!