Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed after a suicide car bombing targeted his residence in Kati, followed by a firefight.

The attack was part of a series of coordinated assaults carried out by Islamist militants linked to al-Qaida, including the regional group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin.

The government confirmed multiple civilian and military casualties but did not release an official death toll.

The attacks struck several locations across Mali, including near Bamako, and are considered among the largest in recent years, The Guardian has reported.

The violence highlights ongoing instability in the Sahel and raises concerns about security despite international involvement, including support from Russia.