Al-Qaida has named a replacement for a key commander of its North African branch who was killed by Chadian soldiers in northern Mali last month.
Algeria's Ennahar TV reports Sunday that Djamel Okacha, also known as Yahia Abu El Hamam, will replace Abdelhamid Abou Zeid as a key leader of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The 34-year-old Okacha is a close aide of AQIM head Abdelmalek Droukdel.
Abou Zeid died in an offensive by French troops in northern Mali's Adrar des Ifoghas mountains in late February.
Algeria's Ennahar TV reports Sunday that Djamel Okacha, also known as Yahia Abu El Hamam, will replace Abdelhamid Abou Zeid as a key leader of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The 34-year-old Okacha is a close aide of AQIM head Abdelmalek Droukdel.
Abou Zeid died in an offensive by French troops in northern Mali's Adrar des Ifoghas mountains in late February.