Mali defense minister killed in attack as army and rebels clash
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Mali's Defense Minister Sadio Camara, his second wife, and two grandchildren died after a car bomb attack on his home in Kita, outside Bamako, according to his family and an official. This incident occurred amidst a second day of fighting between the Malian army, jihadist fighters, and separatist rebels near the capital and other cities. The synchronized attacks on Saturday, carried out by the Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front FLA coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM, targeted multiple areas across the country. Fighting continued on Sunday in locations including Kita, Kidal, Gao, and Severe. Tuareg rebels announced an agreement for Russian forces supporting Mali's army to withdraw from Kidal, claiming the city was "totally" under their control. A Tuareg official stated that an accord allowed the Malian army and its "Africa Corps" allies to leave Camp 2, where they had been since the previous day. Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold, was retaken by the Malian army with Russian Wagner group support in November 2023. The FLA also claims to have taken positions in the northern Gao region. A security source indicated the attackers' aim was to carry out coordinated actions to capture Kidal, a symbolic location, rather than seize and control cities. These attacks are described as the worst since the junta seized power in 2020. The Malian government reported 16 civilians and soldiers wounded and "limited material damage," stating the situation
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