Algeria 'kills top al-Qaida leader'

An Islamic militant killed by Algerian security forces in a raid two months ago has been identified as a top al-Qaida operative for Africa, Algeria’s official news agency reported today.

Emad Abdelwahid Ahmed Alwan, alias Abu Mohammed, was shot and killed in the September 12 raid in the eastern Batna region, 270 miles east of the capital Algiers, the official APS news agency said.

The body of Alwan, a Yemeni, was identified after a two-month investigation by government experts, the report said. He was a top al-Qaida leader for northern and western Africa, it said.

Algeria’s military is fighting a ten year insurgency by Islamic militants, which has claimed more than 120,000 lives. Raids by soldiers on suspected militant hideouts are common.