An Algerian leader of Al-Qaeda in north Africa, who coordinated operations in northern Mali, was killed in a road accident between Gao and Timbuktu, Islamists in the region said Monday.

"Nabil Makloufi was called to God on Saturday night. He was killed with other brothers in a car accident between Gao and Timbuktu," said Moussa Ould Mohamed, a member of the Islamist forces that have occupied northern Mali.