New Delhi: Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in Kati on Saturday, after which the security crisis has escalated further in the area, as per France’s RFI Radio reports.
The attacks continued on Sunday, just a day after an Al- Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebels carried out one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years. A Reuters witness said that gunfire rang out in a garrison town near Mali‘s capital.
An al-Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebels claimed the coordinated attacks around Bamako in gold-producing areas and across Mali. This marked one of the boldest operations by insurgents who have mounted their campaign against the military-led government.
UN Nations call for international response
After Saturday’s large-scale assault, the United Nations have also called for an international response to violence and terrorism in the West African Sahel region.
A UN spokesperson posted on X, “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali. He strongly condemns these acts of violence.” The European Union have also described the attacks as acts of terrorism.
Rebels claim control over Kidal
Tuareg rebels said that they have reached an agreement allowing Russian-backed Malian forces to withdraw from Kidal, claiming that the area is under their full control. Kidal was recaptured by the Malian army in November 2023 with support from the Russian Wagner Group, ending the years of Tuareg control in the region.
Death toll remains uncertain
The total death toll from the weekend’s clashes remains unclear on Sunday, as communication with the region is limited. With the fate of Kidal hanging in the balance, the international community is watching closely to see if the Malian transitional government can regain its footing or if the region will slide further into rebel control.