Mali defence minister killed as rebels launch attacks...

Mali’s military rulers faced a deepening security crisis after coordinated attacks by jihadist fighters and separatist rebels killed the defence minister and spread fighting across the country, officials and residents said on Sunday.

The offensive, launched at dawn on Saturday, targeted multiple locations and involved Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front and the jihadist group Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.

Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed along with members of his family after a car bomb struck his residence in Kati, a stronghold of the junta near the capital Bamako.

A government statement said Camara died of wounds sustained while fighting attackers and would receive a national funeral.

There was no immediate public appearance or statement from junta leader Assimi Goita following the attacks, but he is said to be in a safe location.

Fighting continued on Sunday in several areas, including Kati, the northern towns of Kidal and Gao, and Sevare in central Mali, residents and officials said.

Tuareg rebels said they had taken full control of Kidal after reaching an agreement allowing Russian-backed forces to withdraw. Residents reported seeing military convoys leaving the city as armed fighters moved into the streets.

Mali’s army had recaptured Kidal in November 2023 with support from Russian Wagner mercenaries, ending years of rebel control.

The rebels also said they had seized positions in parts of the Gao region, though the military had not confirmed the claims.

The opposition Coalition of Forces for the Republic said the country was “in danger” and questioned the junta’s claims of restoring security.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence and called for coordinated international support to address extremism and humanitarian needs.