Bamako, Mali: Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack ​on his residence near the main army base outside Bamako on Saturday. The attack was allegedly carried out by an al Qaeda affiliate. A major car bomb exploded in front of his house leading to his demise.

The affiliate group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), cooperated with a Tuareg-dominated rebel group in carrying out the attack against the defense minister. It is part of the wide assault by the group in the country. Camara was a central figure in the military government that seized power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

Read Also: “Ruthless Killers”: Malcom X’s Family Sues FBI, CIA, NYPD Over His Assassination

The defense minister’s death appears to be one of the major blows to the country’s army force. The rebel group has been  launching major nationwide attacks to take control of the country.

As per reports, the group gunmen have carried out attacks several other locations across Mali, including Bamako, as well as Gao and Kidal in the north and the central city of Sevare. Reports said that sounds of heavy gunfire and loud explosions could still be heard in Kidal on Sunday, according to residents.

Read Also: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Vows To ‘Pursue And Kill’ Netanyahu Amid Assassination Rumours