Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major coordinated assault carried out by insurgents over the weekend.
The attack targeted his residence in Kati, a military town near the capital Bamako, where a car bomb detonated followed by heavy gunfire.
The government confirmed his death, describing it as one of the most significant high-level casualties in recent years.
The assault was part of a wider wave of violence across multiple regions of Mali, including Mopti, Gao and areas near Bamako. The attacks were reportedly carried out by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), working alongside a Tuareg rebel faction.
Read also:
Donald Trump Safe After Shooting Scare at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Analysts say the scale and coordination of the attack mark one of the largest and most sophisticated offensives against Mali’s military in recent times.
The escalation highlights the worsening security crisis in Mali despite government claims of improved stability.The United Nations has condemned the attacks and called for stronger international response, as the violence raises concerns about the government’s ability to maintain control and protect civilians amid persistent insurgent threats.
