Sadio Camara, Mali’s defence minister has been reportedly killed in an apparent suicide bombing by suspected insurgents.
A suicide bomber ramed his truck into Camara’s residence in Bamako, according to local news outlets quoting members of his family who were quoted saying his attackers were allies of al-Qaeda.
It was also reported that at least three family members of the slain minister were also killed in the blast.
His apparent assassination which was not confirmed by official sources, coincided with a coordinated attack by jihadists across Mali on Saturday morning.
Gen Assimi Goita’s home was also targeted, prompting him to be moved to safety as the situation is pput under control, according to military sources.
Armed groups launched near-simultaneous raids in Gao, Kati, Kidal and Sevare and the main airport in Bamako.
The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) say Russian mercenaries hired by Mali to tackle insecurity in the north of the country will be pulling out of Kidal which was the scene of intense clashes in recent days.
WN/as/APA