by Nurat Uthman
Judges at the International Criminal Court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for one of the Sahel’s top jihadist leaders over alleged atrocities committed in the Malian city of Timbuktu between 2012 and 2013.
Also known as “Abou Fadl”, Ag Ghaly is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, the ICC said. The crimes, it said include murder, rape and sexual slavery as well as attacks on buildings dedicated as religious and historic monuments
Iyad Ag Ghaly, is said to be the undisputed leader of the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM, which operates in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The JNIM is accused of numerous attacks against national forces and atrocities against civilian populations.
Ag Ghaly previously led the Ansar El – Dine jihadist group that invaded the city known as the “Pearl of the Desert” more than a decade ago
