The leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was killed this week by French forces in Mali.
Although Abdelmalek Droukdel had a low public profile, he was one of the most powerful Islamist warlords in the region and his death is likely to have an impact on jihadist groups there.
Here is a round-up of views on Thursday’s incident and how it might have on the volatile region.
