Mali’s defence minister has been killed: details of the attacks
This is according to Al Jazeera.
A blow to the ‘heart’ of the regime and the uniting of enemies
Kamara’s death was the result of a large-scale operation that has been ongoing for over 24 hours. The main target was his residence in the town of Kati — a well-fortified military garrison just 15 km from the capital, which was considered the safest place in the country. The attackers used a car bomb to breach the defences.
Key details of the events:
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A sensational alliance: Analysts emphasise that the attack was carried out by the group ‘Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin’ (JMIN), linked to Al-Qaeda, in conjunction with Tuareg fighters from the ‘Front for the Liberation of Azawad’ (FLA). These groups were previously at odds with one another but have united against the state.
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Scale of fighting: Simultaneous attacks have been reported in the capital, Bamako, as well as in the cities of Gao, Sevare and Kidal. Explosions and street fighting are still ongoing in Kidal.
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Status of leadership: Interim President Assimi Goïta survived — he was urgently evacuated to a safe location at the time of the attack.
Loss of a strategic player Sadio Camara did not merely head the defence ministry; he was the architect of the military coups of 2020 and 2021. Many saw him as the country’s future leader. His elimination is a devastating blow to Mali’s armed forces and calls into question the stability of the entire ruling leadership.
The African Union and the US have condemned the wave of violence, but experts predict that fighting for control of strategic territories will intensify in the coming days.
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