Malian government confirms defense minister's death in terrorist attack near Bamako
via SeneNews2 min read
The Malian government announced on Sunday evening the death of its Minister of Defense, General Sadio Camara, who was killed during "terrorist" attacks on Saturday. General Camara died when a "vehicle bomb driven by a suicide bomber" targeted his residence in Kati, near the capital Bamako. The 47-year-old General of the Army Corps and Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs was a key leader of the junta in power since 2020. Coordinated attacks by JNIM jihadists, affiliated with Al Qaeda, and allied Tuareg secessionists from northern Mali, targeted strategic positions on Saturday. Cities including Bamako, Ségou, Gao, Kidal, and Kati were targeted, with fighting continuing on Sunday in Kidal and Gao between insurgents and the army, supported by Russian mercenaries. According to the government, during the "terrorist incidents" at his residence, General Camara "engaged in exchanges with the assailants, some of whom he managed to neutralize." He was wounded and transported to the hospital where he "unfortunately succumbed." The collapse of his residence also caused other casualties and destroyed a nearby mosque, leading to the deaths of some worshippers inside, though no specific numbers were provided. The government stated that the deceased, due to his "praiseworthy record in national defense," will receive "national funerals." Saturday's attacks and subsequent fighting resulted in 16 civilian and military injuries and "limited material damage," according to a junta report from
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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