Al-Qaeda assassinates Mali defense minister inside his home — media
Al-Qaeda militants kill Mali's defense minister (photo: Getty Images)
Mali's Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed in a large-scale coordinated attack on military facilities across the country, reports Al Jazeera.
Details of attacks, minister's death
The outlet says General Camara's residence in the garrison town of Kati, about 15 km from the capital Bamako, was targeted during a suicide car bomb assault.
The attack was carried out by militants from al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin together with Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front.
Sadio Camara was considered one of the most influential figures in Mali's military leadership, which came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021.
Analysts described him as a key pillar of the regime and a likely future leader of the country. His death is being called a serious blow to Mali's armed forces.
Country situation
According to Al Jazeera, the attacks took place simultaneously in several regions — in the capital Bamako, in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal, and in Sevare in central Mali.
As of Sunday, gunfire and explosions were still ongoing in Kidal. The country's interim president, Assimi Goita, was unharmed and moved to a secure location.
Experts note that previously rival groups, Islamists and Tuareg forces, have joined efforts to fight the state. The African Union and US officials have already officially condemned the attacks.
Mali situation
The security situation in Mali has deteriorated rapidly in recent times.
Earlier reports said that al-Qaeda militants and Tuareg forces launched a large-scale offensive, capturing the city of Kidal and attacking the airport in the capital Bamako, where Russian mercenaries may have been present.
It was also reported that Russian fighters from the African Corps (formerly Wagner) have carried out a campaign of terror in Mali, committing numerous war crimes against civilians.
Amid close cooperation with the Kremlin, Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, announced their immediate withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.
