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Fate of jihadi Mokhtar Belmokhtar unclear after US air strike in Libya Fate of jihadi Mokhtar Belmokhtar unclear after US air strike in Libya
(35 minutes later)
The US air force has said it targeted a notorious jihadi leader linked to al-Qaida in a weekend air strike on Libya. But there was no confirmation of the reported death of Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who was accused of leading an attack on a gas plant in Algeria in 2013 that killed 40 hostages. The US air force has said it targeted a notorious jihadi leader linked to al-Qaida in a weekend air strike on Libya. But there was no confirmation of the reported death of Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who was accused of leading an attack on a gas plant in Algeria in 2013 that killed 40 hostages. Saturday’s raid near Adjabiya was carried out by F-15E aircraft using precision weapons.
Saturday’s raid near Adjabiya was carried out by F-15E aircraft using precision weapons. The US air force secretary, Deborah Lee James, said “enormous care” had been taken to avoid harming civilians. The US air force secretary, Deborah Lee James, said “enormous care” had been taken to avoid harming civilians. “The impact of the raid is still being assessed,” she told reporters at the Paris air show. “I have absolute confidence in our people and the intelligence, but this is not exact science.” She said Belmokhtar had “a long history of terror with al-Qaida affiliates”.
“The impact of the raid is still being assessed,” she told reporters at the Paris air show. “I have absolute confidence in our people and the intelligence, but this is not exact science.” She said Belmokhtar had “a long history of terror with al-Qaida affiliates”.
Belmokhtar embodied the link between al-Qaida “central” and local extremist movements. If confirmed, his death would be a triumph for US intelligence-gathering in a region ravaged by civil war. It would also underline how the Obama administration prioritises counter-terrorism operations while avoiding wider involvement in the Middle East and north Africa.Belmokhtar embodied the link between al-Qaida “central” and local extremist movements. If confirmed, his death would be a triumph for US intelligence-gathering in a region ravaged by civil war. It would also underline how the Obama administration prioritises counter-terrorism operations while avoiding wider involvement in the Middle East and north Africa.
Libyan media reported that the US strike left 33 dead and many others wounded. There were claims that several high-profile al-Qaida leaders had gathered for a meeting at a farm owned by a leader of the extremist group Ansar al-Sharia.Libyan media reported that the US strike left 33 dead and many others wounded. There were claims that several high-profile al-Qaida leaders had gathered for a meeting at a farm owned by a leader of the extremist group Ansar al-Sharia.
On Sunday, government forces clashed with survivors of the strike when the latter group tried to bring their wounded on armed pickup trucks to the hospital in Ajdabiya. On Sunday, government forces clashed with survivors of the strike when the latter group tried to bring their wounded on armed pickup trucks to the hospital in Ajdabiya. Elsewhere in Libya, air strikes were reported on Monday near Sebha, in the south-west near a known transit route for al-Qaida out through Niger and Algeria.
Elsewhere in Libya, air strikes were reported on Monday near Sebha, in the south-west near a known transit route for al-Qaida out through Niger and Algeria.
The US attack depended on collaboration with the internationally recognised Libyan government, based in the eastern city of Bayda. Tripoli, the capital, is run by the Islamist-dominated Libya Dawn coalition. The existence of rival administrations is one aspect of a chaotic and lawless situation that has worsened steadily since Nato-backed rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.The US attack depended on collaboration with the internationally recognised Libyan government, based in the eastern city of Bayda. Tripoli, the capital, is run by the Islamist-dominated Libya Dawn coalition. The existence of rival administrations is one aspect of a chaotic and lawless situation that has worsened steadily since Nato-backed rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Belmokhtar has been reported killed before, including in 2013 when he was targeted in Mali. Major Mohammed Hegazi, a military spokesman for the Bayda administration, told the Associated Press that two foreign leaders and a Tunisian fighter were killed in the strike. Tests were needed to determine whether Belmokhtar was among them. Belmokhtar has been reported killed before, including in 2013, when he was targeted in Mali. Major Mohammed Hegazi, a military spokesman for the Bayda administration, told the Associated Press that two foreign leaders and a Tunisian fighter were killed in the strike. Tests were needed to determine whether Belmokhtar was among them.
The Bayda government called for further “consultation and co-ordination” to counter Islamic State control of the coastal city of Sirte and its push westwards towards Misrata and to the south towards Jufra.The Bayda government called for further “consultation and co-ordination” to counter Islamic State control of the coastal city of Sirte and its push westwards towards Misrata and to the south towards Jufra.
Belmokhtar’s biography reflected the violent history of Algeria and the Sahel in the last quarter of a century. He first emerged as a member of the Armed Islamic Group fighting the Algerian military in the 1990s. He fought in Afghanistan where he lost an eye – earning him the nickname “the one-eyed” – and returned home to continue the jihadi struggle. He later joined al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim), a “franchise” of Osama bin Laden’s group, but fell out with its leader Abdelmalek Droukdel. Belmokhtar’s biography reflected the violent history of Algeria and the Sahel in the last quarter of a century. He first emerged as a member of the Armed Islamic Group fighting the Algerian military in the 1990s. He fought in Afghanistan, where he lost an eye – earning him the nickname “the one-eyed” – and returned home to continue the jihadi struggle. He later joined al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim), a “franchise” of Osama bin Laden’s group, but fell out with its leader, Abdelmalek Droukdel.
In late 2012 Belmokhtar formed a new group, al-Mulathamin (the Masked Ones), and was described as its “emir”, or commander. French sources have said he was heavily involved in smuggling diamonds and cigarettes – another nickname is “Mr Marlboro”. In late 2012 Belmokhtar formed a new group, al-Mulathamin (the Masked Ones), and was described as its “emir”, or commander. French sources have said that he was heavily involved in smuggling diamonds and cigarettes – another nickname is “Mr Marlboro”.
The unit that attacked the BP camp at Ein Amenas in Algeria was known in Arabic as “the signers in blood”. Two months ago Belmokhtar made headlines by refusing to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State which is now in open competition with al-Qaida. The unit that attacked the BP camp at Ein Amenas in Algeria was known in Arabic as “the signers in blood”. Two months ago Belmokhtar made headlines by refusing to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, which is now in open competition with al-Qaida.
Saturday’s raid was the first American air strike on Libya since 2011, but US forces have conducted operations there more recently. Two years ago Delta commandos captured Anas al-Libi, blamed for the bombing of US embassies in Africa, in Tripoli. Last June another commando raid seized Ahmed al-Khattala, now on trial in the US on charges of killing the US ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi in 2012. Saturday’s raid was the first American air strike on Libya since 2011, but US forces have conducted operations there more recently. Two years ago, Delta commandos captured Anas al-Libi, blamed for the bombing of US embassies in Africa, in Tripoli. Last June another commando raid seized Ahmed al-Khattala, now on trial in the US on charges of killing the US ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi in 2012.
The effect of the air strikes on diplomatic efforts to end Libya’s civil war are unclear. US diplomats have been urging both sides to end the violence and commit themselves to a power-sharing plan proposed by the United Nations. The UN wants agreement on the plan by 17 June, before the onset of Ramadan.The effect of the air strikes on diplomatic efforts to end Libya’s civil war are unclear. US diplomats have been urging both sides to end the violence and commit themselves to a power-sharing plan proposed by the United Nations. The UN wants agreement on the plan by 17 June, before the onset of Ramadan.