The Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, 47, one of the main leaders of the junta, was killed in an attack by JNIM (the group supporting Islam and Muslims) on his residence in Kati on Saturday, April 25, as reported by AFP on Sunday, according to his family, government, and military sources.
“In the Kati attack, Minister Camara was killed along with his second wife,” a family member told AFP. “We have lost a very dear person, the Minister of Defense. He fell on the field of honor,” revealed a government source, confirmed by other military sources.
The fighting between the army and the attackers, which began on Saturday at dawn, continued intensely in the afternoon around Bamako and in several cities, especially in Kidal, a stronghold of armed separatist groups in the north. They resulted in 16 civilian and military injuries and limited material damage, as stated in a government statement on Saturday night, which also mentioned that “the situation is completely under control in all attacked locations.”
An unprecedented attack since the junta took power in 2020
The European Union “strongly condemns the terrorist attacks” carried out on Saturday in Mali and expresses solidarity with the Malian people, as stated in a statement on Sunday issued by its foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
“We reaffirm our determination in the fight against terrorism, as well as our commitment to peace, security, and stability in Mali and throughout the Sahel region,” added the EU, following multiple attacks on Malian army positions by jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels.
For over a decade, Mali has been plagued by conflicts and jihadist violence, but since the junta took power in 2020, these attacks by jihadists and the Tuareg rebellion of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) have been unprecedented.
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(Context: Minister of Defense Sadio Camara was killed in an attack in Mali. The EU condemned the terrorist attacks. The situation remains tense in Mali.)
(Fact Check: The content is factually accurate based on AFP reports and EU statements.)
