Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was tragically killed in an attack by armed terrorist groups on his residence in Kati, near the capital Bamako. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, also claimed the life of the minister’s second wife. Reports indicate that armed terrorist groups carried out coordinated attacks in various cities across Mali, resulting in 16 people being wounded. The government of Mali confirmed that the attacks targeted multiple locations, including garrison towns and the capital city of Bamako.
The wounded individuals, comprising both civilians and military personnel, were promptly taken to medical facilities for treatment. The government mentioned that the material damage caused by the attacks was limited. Despite these events, an official statement confirming the minister’s death had not been released by the government as of Sunday. Search operations against the armed terrorist groups responsible for the attacks were ongoing in Kidal, Kati, and other parts of Mali, as stated by the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces on Sunday.
The army emphasized that the attacks were intended to disrupt Mali’s defence system and sow fear and chaos among the populace. In response to the heightened security threat, the army announced the implementation of nationwide alert levels, curfews, intensified patrols, and reinforced checkpoints to bolster surveillance against security risks. Reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding Mali’s territorial integrity and national security, the Malian Armed Forces urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Mali issued a cautionary advisory to all Indian nationals residing in the country following the series of attacks by armed groups on Saturday. The advisory urged Indian nationals to exercise extreme vigilance, stay indoors, and adhere to instructions from Malian authorities. The Embassy assured that it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local authorities and will provide further updates as necessary.
