Two key Islamist leaders killed in French army raid in Mali: Paris

Paris (AFP) - French special forces have killed two key jihadist leaders in Mali, one of whom has been linked to the kidnapping and execution of foreigners, the defence ministry said Wednesday.

Four jihadists were killed in the operation in northern Mali, including Ibrahim Ag Inawalen and Amada Ag Hama, known as "Abdelkrim the Tuareg", "two of the main leaders" of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Ansar Dine, a ministry statement said.

Abdelkrim the Tuareg was believed to have masterminded the kidnapping of two French journalists who were murdered in Mali in 2013.