French forces in a military operation killed a leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Thursday in Sahel.

According to the French news agency, AFP, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that the head of the Islamic State (Sahel) had been killed during an operation by French troops in the Greater Sahara.

According to the French news agency, IS leader Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi was wanted in attacks on US troops and foreign aid workers.  The French president has not released further details of the military operation.

“Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, leader of the terrorist group Islamic State in the Greater Sahara was neutralized by French forces. 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, and also of the bereaved families and of all of its wounded. Their sacrifice is not in vain. With our African, European and American partners, we will continue this fight,” wrote the French president in his tweets.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly said it was a major blow to terrorists. Our war on terror will continue, she added. She also congratulated the officers and intelligence personnel involved in the military operation. Florence added that the search for Adnan Abu Waleed had been going on for a long time.

“The head of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara – Daesh’s No. 1 in the Sahel – died following a strike by the Barkhane force. I congratulate the military and intelligence agents who have contributed to this long-term hunt. It is a decisive blow against this terrorist group. Our fight continues.

On September 14, the United States had refused to lift sanctions on Taliban, but agreed to provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable Afghans.