France claims death of top jihadist leader in Mali

France has anunced death of a top jihist leer in Mali as it sought to reassure West African nation of European support in fight against militant bloodshed. French troops killed Moroccan Ali Maychou of Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) in Mali last month, Defence Minister Florence Parly told AFP aboard a government plane on Tuesday as she returned from an official visit to region.

He was " second most-wanted terrorist in Sahel, including by Americans", after GSIM's number one Iy Ag Ghaly, she said. Comprising several jihist groups linked to al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), GSIM has claimed responsibility for biggest attacks in Sahel since its official launch in 2017. Ag Ghaly is a Tuareg Malian who has been involved in militancy for nearly three deces.

Mali's army has been struggling to contain Islamist insurgency despite help from France, African neighbours and United Nations. A string of dely assaults has underscored fragility of a region where jihist violence has claimed hundreds of lives. In latest attack, claimed by Islamic State-allied militants, gunmen on Friday shot de 49 Malian troops at an army base near border with Niger.

Over weekend, two more Malian soldiers and a French soldier were killed. France, whose 4,500-strong Barkhane force has been in Sahel since 2014, has been trying to convince European partners to boost military assistance. Earlier Tuesday, Parly ackwledged security situation was "clearly difficult" but said France was nearing a breakthrough in talks.

"By 2020, special forces from European countries will be deployed in Mali alongside French special forces to pass on exceptional kw-how" to Mali's army, Parly said during a visit to rrn city of Gao.

She ded that around a dozen countries h been approached to join unit -- to be named "Takuba", which means "sabre" in Tuareg langu -- and h received encouraging replies. Participation is conditional on votes in national parliaments but Parly said she was "optimistic". Efforts to boost European security presence in region comes as continuing attacks have raised questions over ability of Malian army and its foreign backers to take control of situation, as well as protests against international forces.