Bamako, April 26 (SANA) Heavy gunfire was heard on Sunday in the town of Kati near Mali’s capital Bamako, a day after coordinated attacks by militants linked to al-Qaeda and Tuareg rebel fighters, a Reuters witness said.
The fighting appeared to be continuing for a second day despite the army saying it had regained control of the situation.
French broadcaster France 24 reported that Mali’s Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in Kati on Saturday.
The attacks were among the most significant in recent years, targeting areas around Bamako as well as gold-producing regions and other parts of the country.
The United Nations called for an international response to the violence in the Sahel region.
“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali and strongly condemns these acts of violence,” a UN spokesperson said in a statement posted on X.
An al-Qaeda-linked group and Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for the coordinated assaults, describing them as part of their campaign against the Malian government.
The latest violence underscores a worsening security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel, where armed groups have expanded their operations despite ongoing military efforts.
ABD
