Mali defence minister killed in suicide bombing amid wave of rebel attacks
via The Namibian7 min read
Mali's defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing at his residence near Bamako, as the country experienced a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists. State TV confirmed Camara's death, stating he succumbed to wounds sustained while engaging with attackers. Reports also indicated that the head of the military junta, Gen Assimi Goita, was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted. The attack on Camara's residence, launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati, also killed at least three of his family members and destroyed a nearby mosque, killing worshippers. Fighting was reported in Kati, Gao, Kidal, Sevare, and Mopti. The Azawad Liberation Front FLA claimed an agreement was reached for Russian mercenaries to withdraw from Kidal after clashes, with the FLA later stating they were permanently withdrawing from Kidal and that the city was free. However, Mali's military has not confirmed these claims. The FLA, which seeks a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state in the north, stated their offensive had been planned for months, with goals to control Gao and Timbuktu. State broadcaster ORTM reported 16 people, including civilians and soldiers, were injured, and several "terrorists" killed, adding the situation was "completely under control," though the military confirmed ongoing fighting in Kidal, Kati, and other areas. UN chief Antonio Guterres and West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas, condemned the violence.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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