Mali defence minister Sadio Camara killed in rebel attack

ALBAWABA - Mali's defence minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing at his residence near the capital Bamako amid rising tension after rebels launched coordinated attacks on the Malian army.

Camara's family and French media revealed that at least three members of Sadio Camara's family were killed in the attack, launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati on Saturday.

The defense ministers' residence collapsed, and a nearby mosque was also destroyed in the attack by the rebels; several worshippers were killed.

Multiple news outlets confirmed the death of Camara, reporting that it came amid attacks carried out by jihadist militants and separatists across the country.

^{Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) ride on the back of pickup trucks in Kidal, on April 26, 2026. Photo by ABDOLLAH AG MOHAMED / AFP}
 

Mali state TV confirmed the death of Camara several hours later, saying he died of wounds received while engaging with the attackers. On the other hand, reports revealed the head of the military junta, Gen Assimi Goita, was transferred to a safe place after his home was targeted.

Government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly confirmed on Sunday evening the death of the Malian minister Camara, saying "a vehicle laden with explosives and driven by a suicide attacker targeted the minister's residence".

The BBC reported that Mali has been facing rising tension and separate clashes triggered by groups linked with al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group, and the FLA.

Fighting on Saturday had been reported in multiple areas, including Gao and Kidal in the north, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti.