The Defense Minister was killed, attacks continue in Mali, why is there so much ruckus?

A massive rebellion started in the African country Mali. Rebel groups scored a massive success on Sunday when Mali’s Defense Minister Najral Sadio Camara was killed in a well-planned attack. Now the attacks of the rebels are increasing and they have also captured many cities and military stations. Mali, one of the poorest countries, has been struggling with conflict for a long time and its army is also facing troubles due to rebel attacks. It is being said that this time jihadists and rebels have launched a massive attack across the country and the rebels have captured northern Mali. Not only this, now they are trying to enter the capital Bamako and the conflict is going on.

These are the latest incidents of violence in this country ruled by the junta. Mali has long battled militants linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as a separatist insurgency in the north. The government of Mali confirmed the death of the Defense Minister in a post on the Defense Ministry’s Facebook page and expressed condolences to his family. On Saturday, a simultaneous attack on Mali’s capital Bamako and several other cities was one of the biggest attacks on the country’s army so far. The attack also challenged Mali’s security partner Russia, whose troops are deployed in the West African country.

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The government has not yet released the number of people killed in Saturday’s attacks. Earlier it was only said that at least 16 people were injured. The government has termed it a terrorist attack. According to a statement issued by the government, on Saturday, the residence of Defense Minister Kamara was targeted by a suicide car bomber and other attackers. “He fought off the attackers and killed some of them but was injured in the gruesome attack and died on the way to the hospital,” the statement said.

Kidal captured by rebels

A spokesman for the separatist Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front said Russian Afrika Korps troops and Mali’s army withdrew from the town of Kidal after Saturday’s attack as part of an agreement for a peaceful withdrawal. Its spokesman Mohammed al-Maloud Ramadan announced, ‘Kidal has been liberated.’ In a statement broadcast on state television late on Sunday, armed forces chief General Omar Diarra admitted that Mali’s army had left the city and its troops were now deploying to Anefis, a town about 100 kilometers south of Kidal.

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Let us tell you that separatists have been fighting to create an independent state in northern Mali for many years. Kidal was the stronghold of this rebellion for a long time but in 2023 it was captured by the Malian army and Russian troops. At the time this was considered a major and symbolic victory for the junta and its Russian partners.

What is the reason for the dispute?

Islamic extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups have been very active in Mali since 2012. Due to his continuous activism the entire country has been very sensitive. These terrorists have been fighting the government. On the other hand, the people of northern Mali have been struggling to create a separate and independent country. Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) is fighting the battle against these separatists.

When the rebellion gained momentum in March 2012, they were stopped with the help of the French army. Later the French army left from there. The struggle continued and taking advantage of this, the army formed the government in a coup for the first time in 2020 and again in 2021. At present, this military is ruling Bali. Assimi Goita, who was once an army officer, is the President of Mali.

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Since the coup in Mali, Russia’s Wagner Group was helping the Mali army against the Islamic State. However, in June 2025, the Wagner Group also left Mali. Russian army soldiers are still present here. Now Africa Corps is also working here which comes under the Defense Ministry of Russia.

Let us tell you that the junta in power in Mali eliminated all political parties and took brutal action against its critics. The junta had also promised that power would be handed over to the public by March 2024, but without holding elections, Goita again declared himself for the next 5 years in 2025. Also, it was also made a rule that he could increase it as many times as he wanted.