Mali’s Defence Minister General Sadio Camara was killed on Saturday during a wave of coordinated attacks launched by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and Tuareg rebels across the capital region and beyond.
The 47-year-old general, a pivotal figure in the 2020 coup that brought Colonel Assimi Goïta to power and a key architect of Mali’s deepening ties with Russia, died when a car bomb struck his residence in the garrison town of Kati, about 15 km northwest of Bamako. Initial reports from his entourage claimed he was safe and away from the property, but multiple sources, including Al Jazeera and updates to official records, have since confirmed his death
Explosions and sustained gunfire erupted near Mali’s main military base in Kati, home to junta leader Goïta, as well as Bamako’s international airport, the central towns of Mopti and Sévaré, and northern areas including Gao and Kidal.
Witnesses reported heavy fighting, with jihadist fighters reportedly seizing positions in some locations.The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility in a statement, saying its forces carried out the operation jointly with Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front. The group specifically boasted of targeting the homes of both Goïta and Camara, along with key military and infrastructure sites.
The Malian army acknowledged clashes with “unidentified armed terrorist groups” and said it had launched a sweeping counter-operation, claiming the situation was largely under control in the capital, though sporadic gunfire and uncertainty lingered.
Camara, born in 1979, rose rapidly through the ranks and became one of the junta’s most influential hardliners. He played a central role in pivoting Mali away from traditional Western partners toward Russian military support, including the Africa Corps (formerly Wagner Group), to combat the long-running Islamist insurgency that has destabilized the Sahel since 2012. His death removes a key operator in those alliances at a moment of acute vulnerability for the regime.
As of Sunday morning, the whereabouts of junta leader Goïta remained unclear, with no public statement from the government. Streets in Bamako were reported deserted, and the U.S. Embassy issued a shelter-in-place advisory. Casualty figures from both sides have not been independently verified, but the attacks have exposed deep fractures in Mali’s security apparatus.This escalation comes as jihadist and separatist groups have intensified operations against the junta, which has faced growing criticism for failing to stem violence despite foreign backing.
Analysts warn that Camara’s killing could trigger further instability, power struggles within the military, or a renewed offensive in the north.The situation remains fluid, with investigations underway and fears of retaliatory strikes. Further updates are expected as the Malian authorities and insurgent groups issue more details.