Mali Defence Minister Killed in Coordinated Attacks

The Mali Defence Minister was killed during a series of coordinated attacks that targeted military installations across the country. The attacks occurred in various locations, including Kati, a military garrison town located 15 kilometers from Bamako, and were reported to involve suicide car bombs.

These assaults are part of a broader offensive carried out by fighters linked to Jama Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, alongside Tuareg rebel groups. The attacks began within 24 hours and have raised concerns about the security situation in Mali, with analysts suggesting that the scale of the violence has overwhelmed security forces.

Interim President Assimi Goita has reportedly moved to safety while maintaining control over military operations. The African Union and the U.S.

State Department condemned the attacks and called for urgent measures to restore stability in the region.