Early life and education
Droukdel was born in Meftah,Afghan War, Algerian Civil War and the GSPC1
Droukdel returned to Algeria after fighting in the Afghan civil war, and joined the GSPC. Droukdel was a regional leader of the GSPC for several years before becoming the group's commander in 2004 following the death of then-leaderEmir of AQIM
Under Droukdel's leadership the GSPC sought to develop itself from a largely domestic entity into a larger player on the international terror stage. As the new leader of the GSPC, Droukdel reorganized the group, and continued targeting civilians. He was, however, unable to quell the rumblings between factions. In September 2006, it was announced that the GSPC had joined forces with al-Qaeda and in January 2007, the group officially changed its name to the "Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb."Salafist Group for Call and Combat Announces its New Name as al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic MaghrebDesignation
In December 2007, theDeath
The French government said on 5 June 2020 that Droukdel, and members of his inner circle, had been killed by French special forces during the Battle of Talahandak, north of Mali two days earlier. AQIM confirmed Droukdel's death two weeks later. He was replaced by Abu Ubaidah Youssef al-Annabi as the leader of AQIM.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Droukdel, Abdelmalek 1970 births 2020 deaths Algerian al-Qaeda members Assassinated al-Qaeda leaders People of the 2010–2012 Algerian protests Leaders of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Leaders of Islamic terror groups People from Meftah Salafi jihadists 21st-century Algerian people