Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, has been killed in a coordinated wave of attacks by jihadist and separatist forces who struck many locations including the country’s capital on Saturday.
A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated outside the residence of Camara in a rare collaborative attack by fighters of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel, and members of the Azawad Liberation Front otherwise known as FLA.
Camara reportedly died after sustaining injuries in the VBIED attack. Al Jazeera quotes Malian sources as confirming his death.
His death represents a major blow to Mali’s military government as he was central to the coup that brought the junta to power.
The Malian military confirmed the attacks in a statement, saying the assailants “suffered immediate setback” and that many were “neutralised.”
In the capital region, gunfire and explosions were reported in Kati, home to Mali’s main military base, as well as near Bamako’s airport and other key installations. Authorities shut down Airbase 101 as a precaution, while unverified reports suggested a military helicopter may have been downed.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, even as the United States Embassy in Mali advised against all travel due to the deteriorating security environment.