US Department Of State: A $7 Million Reward For Information Leading To Algerian “Abu Ubaydah”
The Algerian wanted national, also known as Yazid Mubarak, became the leader of the organization in November 2020, succeeding his compatriot Abdelmalek Droukdel, who was killed in June 2020 in northern Mali by French forces.
On Wednesday, the US Department of State announced via “Rewards For Justice” on Twitter a financial reward of seven million dollars for any information leading to the identification of the whereabouts of the new leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Abu Ubaydah Youssef al-Annabi.
REWARD! Up to $7 Million
For Info on AQIM LeaderAbu al-Anabi is the new leader of the terrorist group al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). In 2009, AQIM killed U.S. citizen Christopher Leggett in Mauritania.
Help us bring AQIM leader al-Anabi to justice. Text us your info. pic.twitter.com/mfrEiN5Bio
— Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) June 2, 2021
In another statement on its official website, the US State Department said that the Algerian wanted national, also known as Yazid Mubarak, became the leader of the organization in November 2020, succeeding his compatriot Abdelmalek Droukdel, who was killed in June 2020 in northern Mali by French forces.
The statement adds, “We encourage anyone with information on Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Annabi to text Rewards for Justice via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +1-202-702-7843. All information will be kept strictly confidential.”
In this regard, The US Department of State pointed out that al-Annabi was previously “the leader AQIM’s Council of Notables and served on AQIM’s Shura Council. Al-Annabi has also served as AQIM’s Media Chief.”
The statement clarified that al-Annabi has been designated since September 2015 as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.” On February 29, 2016, he was placed on the United Nations (UNSCR 1267) sanctions list.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has won the loyalty of many jihadist groups active in the Sahel region, which have since 2017 joined under the banner of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).