Mali’s Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, has been killed in a car bomb attack near the capital, Bamako, amid a wave of coordinated assaults by jihadist fighters.

Security and government sources confirmed on Sunday that the attack occurred on Saturday when armed groups launched multiple strikes across the country, including on Kati, a key military base and stronghold of the ruling junta.

Camara, a central figure in Mali’s military leadership, was reportedly targeted at his residence in Kati, where several top junta officials are based.

A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the explosive device had been planted outside the residence and detonated, killing the minister and at least three members of his family.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by fighters linked to Al-Qaeda, though authorities have yet to issue a full official statement detailing the incident.