Rebels Kill Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, Amid Increasing Attacks

Islamic forces linked to al-Qaeda and Tuareg rebels have launched multiple attacks that killed Mali’s Defence Minister General Sadio Camara on Sunday.

The death of the defense minister came a day after his residence in the garrison town of Kati came under attack during the simultaneous attacks launched by an al-Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebels on Saturday.

Camara was a central figure in the military government that seized power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

“He was one of the most influential figures within the ruling military leadership and had been seen by some as a possible future leader of Mali.

“His death is a major blow to the country’s armed forces,” sources said.

The attackers reportedly carried out a suicide car bomb assault on Camara’s residence in Kati, a heavily fortified military town about 15km (9 miles) northwest of the capital, Bamako, where Interim President Assimi Goita also resides.

“Kati is considered one of the most secure locations in the country, yet fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JMIN), along with Tuareg fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), were able to launch the attack,” he said, adding that Goita was “alive and well in a secure location.”

“When the attack took place, he was moved to safety, so he remains in command of the military,” the source said.

Analyst Bulama Bukarti told Aljazeera in an interview that it was likely that “more battles for control of territory and strategic locations” would take place in the coming days.