Mauritanian officials say troops killed a top official of al-Qaida's North African affiliate during a raid this week in Mail.

They say Ali Ould Sidi Tiyib was wanted for organizing attacks in Mauritania in 2008, including an assault on the Israeli Embassy.

Military officials say Tiyib, a top official in al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, died in a Thursday bomb attack in Wagodou, a forest area in west Mali.

The area was targeted because group has carried out attacks along Mauritania's border with Mali.