Two al Qaeda-linked groups of Islamist militants in Northern Africa have merged for the purpose to taking revenge upon France for its intervention in battling extremists in Mali.

The groups are the Mali-based “Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa”, and the “Masked Men Brigade” led by notorious one-eyed Algerian Militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar.  America is offering a US$5 Million bounty for Belmokhtar’s capture.  He is accused of masterminding a deadly siege at an Algerian plant in January.

The groups now use the name “Al-Murabitoun”, which issued a statement claiming the jihadist movement in the region was now “stronger than ever” and it would “rout” France and its allies.

France led an offensive in January to recapture northern Mali from the militants, who had ruled the north for about eight months after taking advantage of the chaos caused by a coup.  They have since retreated to their desert hide-outs and towns and cities are now under the control of Malian and UN troops.