Mali's Defense Minister Sadio Camara died in a deadly attack on his home. The army has been fighting jihadist fighters and separatist rebels across the country, including areas near the capital Bamako, for the second day. Camara, along with his second wife and two grandchildren, were killed by a car bomb at their home in the junta stronghold of Kita, according to family members and an official.
simultaneously gardener The security crisis deepened further on Saturday. The death occurred during an attack by separatist fighters and militants linked to Al-Qaeda in Kati. The killing comes amid a wave of coordinated attacks between separatist fighters and al-Qaeda-linked militants, targeting the capital Bamako and several other cities across the country.
The violence is one of the most serious attacks in recent years, with separatist groups in the north confirming they had joined forces with Islamist militants in a coordinated attack on Mali army positions.
At least 16 people including civilians and soldiers were injured in these attacks. Responsibility was initially claimed by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM), but it was later revealed that it involved a joint operation with the Tuareg-led separatist group Azad Liberation Front (FLA).
The violence began Saturday morning, with shootings and explosions reported near Bamako's Modibo Keita International Airport and Kati military base. Kati Military Base is one of the special defense bases of the country outside the capital. Similar attacks also took place in the central and northern cities of Sevre, Kidal and Gao. Eyewitnesses said that when the security forces entered, there was heavy firing, explosions and military helicopters were deployed.
As fighting continued, roads were blocked and people were appealed to stay indoors. Later, a three-day night curfew was imposed in Bamako from 9 pm to 6 am. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack.
According to a statement from the UN spokesperson: "The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by reports of attacks in several locations in Mali. He strongly condemns these incidents of violence, expresses solidarity with the people of Mali and emphasizes the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Separatists confirmed alliance with Islamic group. In a significant development, FLA spokesperson Mohammed El Mouloud Ramadan confirmed that separatist fighters had taken part in the attacks in collaboration with JNIM. “This operation is being conducted in partnership with JNIM, which is also committed to protecting the people of Bamako against the military regime,” he said in a statement.
The separatists also claimed control of parts of Kidal and Gao, two key cities in northern Mali, signaling a renewed bid for influence in the region where they have long wanted an independent state called Azawad.
Government response and casualties The government of Mali said that 16 people were injured in the attacks, including both civilians and military personnel. Many militants were killed, although officials did not disclose the exact number. The attackers were eliminated.
State television confirmed that Mali's army was engaged in eliminating the attackers, while authorities had imposed emergency restrictions to stabilize the situation in the capital. The governor of the Bamako district announced a strict curfew and security forces were deployed in sensitive areas, including the airport zone and military bases.
The separatist group also issued a statement calling on Russia to reconsider its support for Mali's military government, and accused foreign support of making things worse for civilians.
Mali's junta, which came to power in a coup in 2020 and 2021, has become more dependent on Russian security help after reducing cooperation with Western partners. However, the security situation is continuously deteriorating, with militant attacks increasing across the country and clashes occurring frequently. The attacks come amid a massive increase in violence in the Sahel region, where Islamist insurgencies and separatist movements have grown despite years of military operations and international aid efforts.
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