Abdallah al-Chinguetti | |
---|---|
Birth name | Mohamed Lemine Ould El Hassen |
Born | 1981 Frewa, Trarza, Mauritania |
Died | February 24, 2013 Timetrine, Mali |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch | Katiba al-Furqan |
Rank | Emir of Katiba al-Furqan |
Known for | Commander of Katiba al-Furqan, destruction of UNESCO heritage sites in Timbuktu |
Battles / wars | Insurgency in the Sahel
|
Mohamed Lemine Ould El Hassen, nom de guerre Abdallah al-Chinguetti, was a Mauritanian jihadist and commander of Katiba Al Furqan of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Chinguetti was born in 1981 in Frewa, Trarza, Mauritania. [1] He holds a diploma from 2006 from the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies and Research. He was imprisoned when he gave his thesis due to his membership in a jihadist group during the presidency of Ely Ould Mohamed Vall. [1] Chinguetti served in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and led a contingent of around a hundred men. Hassen also served as the spokesperson for the southern region controlled by AQIM. [1] [2] On June 24, 2011, he commanded jihadist forces during the battle of the Wagadou Forest against Malian and Mauritanian forces. [2] He also kidnapped several hostages, and affirmed to French journalists that they were well-treated. [2]
Chinguetti was promoted to head of Katiba Al Furqan in November 2012 replacing Djamel Okacha, who was promoted to commander of the Sahara. [1] Chinguetti was the first Mauritanian to command a katiba of AQIM. Katiba Al Furqan became active along the Malian-Mauritanian border. [1] He also served as the spiritual leader of AQIM. [3] During the fall of Timbuktu, Chinguetti and other jihadist leaders ruled the city, with Chinguetti personally ordering the destruction of mausoleums protected by UNESCO. [3]
Chinguetti was killed by French forces on February 24, 2013, during the Battle of Timetrine. [4] AQIM confirmed his death along with that of Abou Zeid on June 16, 2013. They did not specify when or where he died, only that they died in northern Mali. [5]
Abderrahmane Talha, also a Mauritanian, succeeded Chinguetti as leader of Katiba Al Furqan that September. [6]
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