Mali Defence Minister Killed In Bomb Attack As Army vs Separatists War Rages

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the acts of violence and expressed solidarity with the Malian people. The ECOWAS bloc also condemned the attacks. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, said he was following the situation with deep concern.

The Malian government announced a nationwide alert, with large-scale patrols and reinforced checkpoints. Curfews were imposed in some areas, including Bamako's curfew from 21:00 to 06:00 local time.

State broadcaster ORTM reported 16 people, including civilians and soldiers, were injured in the attacks, with several terrorists killed and the situation described as 'completely under control' in affected areas, though fighting continued in Kidal, Kati and other parts of the country.

Ramadane said an agreement was reached between Azawad forces and the Russian elements of the Africa Corps with a view to ensuring their secure withdrawal from the fighting in Kidal. In later updates, he said they were permanently withdrawing from Kidal and that the city was 'free', though there was no independent confirmation from Mali's military.

On Sunday, clashes between the Azawad Liberation Front and the Malian government resumed in Kidal as the security situation continued to unfold.

The assault involved groups affiliated with separatist aims in the north and jihadist militants, with the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) cited in reporting of the attacks across multiple locations.

Fighting on Saturday was reported in Gao and Kidal in the north, and in central Sevare and Mopti as militants carried out coordinated attacks across the country.

Reports said Gen Assimi Goita, head of the military government, was moved to a safe location after his own home was targeted during the wave of attacks.

An attack launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati targeted the defence minister's residence near Bamako. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed, reportedly after exchanging fire with attackers and dying of his wounds in hospital. The attack caused the minister's residence to collapse and destroyed a nearby mosque; reports said at least three members of Camara's family were killed. State television later confirmed Camara's death several hours after the assault, and government spokespeople described the minister as having been killed when a vehicle laden with explosives targeted the residence, having neutralised some attackers in the process.

Mali's rulers have severed ties with former colonial ruler France and several Western countries, moving closer to Russia.

Russia's Africa Corps, an organization under the Russian defence ministry, has taken over from the mercenary Wagner group in helping Malian forces fight jihadists.

The European Union condemned the terrorist attacks in Mali on Sunday.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned acts of violence in Mali and called for coordinated international support to address violent extremism and humanitarian needs.

A Tuareg official said an accord had been reached permitting the Malian army and its Russia Africa Corps allies to leave the camp 2 in Kidal, where they had been holed up since the previous day; fighters from armed movements were said to have taken over the streets.

On Sunday, fighting resumed in Kita near Bamako and in the northern towns of Kidal and Gao as well as Sevaré, with residents reporting ongoing clashes and a heavy security presence. Fighters from armed movements were also reported to have taken positions in Gao.

The Saturday shock attacks were synchronised by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeting several areas with at least 16 civilians and soldiers wounded; government said the situation was under control.

Defence Minister Sadio Camara, his second wife and two of his grandchildren were killed when a car bomb struck his home in Kita, outside Bamako, according to his family and an official.

Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold in northern Mali, was retaken in November 2023 by the Malian army backed by Russia's Wagner paramilitary group, ending more than a decade of rebel control.