Mali’s defence minister has been killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital Bamako, the BBC reports.
Multiple news outlets reported the death of Sadio Camara, part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists carried out across the country.
State TV confirmed the death several hours later, saying he died of wounds received while engaging with the attackers.Reports say the head of the military junta, Gen Assimi Goita, was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted.
For years, Mali has been plagued by insurgencies by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the FLA.
Quoting Camara’s family and French media, news agencies said the attack – launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati on Saturday – also killed at least three of Camara’s family members.
