Mali's Defense Minister died during coordinated attacks by two armed groups targeting military camps throughout the country.
Al Jazeera reported on 26 Apr 2026, citing multiple sources, that General Sadio Camara, Mali's Defense Minister, died amid coordinated attacks striking several locations aimed at military camps nationwide.
The news of General Camara's death came just one day after the armed group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, and the Tuareg rebel group launched simultaneous attacks across multiple sites, including General Camara's residence in the military town of Kati.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nicolas Hac noted that General Camara was a key figure in the military government that seized power following successive coups in 2020 and 2021. He was among the most influential leaders within the ruling military junta and was viewed as a potential future leader of Mali.
Hac added that the attackers used a car bomb to assault General Camara's residence in Kati, a heavily fortified military town located about 15 kilometers northwest of the capital Bamako. Kati also serves as the residence of interim President Assimi Goita.
"Kati is considered one of the safest places in the country, yet fighters from JNIM, along with Tuareg fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), managed to launch an attack," Hac said, adding that President Goita is safe, has been moved to a secure location, and continues to command the military.
Besides General Camara's home, armed groups attacked multiple other locations across Mali, including Bamako, as well as the northern cities of Gao and Kidal, and the central town of Sevare. Some fighting continues more than 24 hours after the initial assaults.
Analyst Boulaman Bugarti said there is a likelihood of "increased battles to control key territories and strategic points" in the coming days.
Bugarti also observed that the two armed groups, which previously fought each other, have now joined forces to attack their common enemy, the Malian government.
"These two groups fight for different goals," Bugarti told Al Jazeera. "But they agreed last year to cooperate, and what we've seen in recent days is the concrete implementation of that agreement."
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Source:aljazeera