Mali says it killed extremist commander who took part in one of worst attacks on US forces in Africa

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A senior Islamic State group commander wanted in connection with one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces in Africa was killed in an operation by Mali's security forces, the country's army said.

Abu Huzeifa, known by the alias Higgo, was a commander in the group known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The State Department had announced a reward of up to $5 million for information about him.

Huzeifa is believed to have helped carry out the 2017 assault on U.S. and Nigerien forces in Tongo Tongo, Niger. Four Americans and four Nigerien soldiers were killed.

Following the attack, the U.S. military scaled back operations with local partners in the vast Sahel region south of the Sahara desert.