Terrorists from the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM and Tuareg rebels carried out coordinated strikes across Mali on Saturday, and Defence Minister Sadio Camara lost his life during the fighting.
The assaults hit several military sites, including the main army base in Kati, just 15 kilometres north of the capital Bamako.
Reports say terrorists targeted Camara’s residence with a car bomb. He died there along with his second wife and two grandchildren.
Camara played a central role in the 2020 coup that brought the current military government to power.
He also served as a key contact for Russian support to the junta.
His death marks a major setback for the authorities as they continue to battle various armed groups in the Sahel region.
Fighting broke out early on Saturday with explosions and gunfire near the Kati base, where junta leader General Assimi Goita maintains a residence.
Witnesses described sustained exchanges that lasted into Sunday in some areas.
Terrorists also struck locations in central and northern Mali, as well as sites around Bamako, including the international airport in one claim.
JNIM and the Tuareg rebel coalition claimed responsibility for the operation, which analysts describe as one of the most extensive in recent years.
The Malian army responded with force, and reports indicate Russian mercenaries working alongside government troops sustained injuries in the clashes.
This latest wave of violence comes as Mali’s military rulers face ongoing pressure from insurgents who have stepped up operations against the government.
The country has struggled with security challenges for years despite assistance from foreign partners.
As of Sunday evening, the government had not released an official death toll from the wider attacks, though it confirmed some soldiers and civilians suffered wounds.
Residents in affected towns reported hearing heavy gunfire and blasts, while social media circulated images of damaged buildings, including Camara’s home.
The incidents highlight the persistent difficulties in containing terrorist activity in the region.
Neighbouring countries and international observers will watch developments closely in the coming days as the situation remains fluid.
Camara’s passing leaves a gap in the junta’s leadership at a time when Mali continues to deal with complex threats from multiple directions.
The army says it has regained control in several spots, but the scale of the coordinated operation has raised fresh questions about long-term stability.
