The European Union on Sunday condemned a series of “terrorist attacks” that took place in Mali on April 25, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming its commitment to security and stability in the Sahel region. The attacks occurred amid ongoing instability in the junta-led country, where the military government has faced persistent insurgent violence.

Among the casualties was Mali’s Defense Minister, Sadio Camara, who was reportedly killed in an assault on his residence near the main army base in Kati, a town located approximately 15 kilometers north of the capital, Bamako. Multiple sources, including relatives and a Malian journalist closely connected to Camara, confirmed his death on Sunday. The attack was carried out by Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate that executed a coordinated offensive across several locations.

JNIM collaborated with the Tuareg-dominated Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) in what analysts and diplomats described as one of the largest coordinated strikes in Mali in recent years. The attacks affected areas around Bamako, including the airport, as well as northern localities such as Mopti, Sevare, and Gao. The situation in Kidal, a strategic city and former FLA stronghold, remained uncertain on Sunday. The FLA announced that Kidal had fallen and claimed a negotiated departure of Russian mercenaries from a besieged military camp outside the city, where Malian forces were still present.

In response, Mali’s armed forces stated ongoing operations aimed at repelling insurgent advances across various parts of the country. The United Nations also issued a call for an international response to the escalating violence and terrorism in the Sahel. A UN spokesperson expressed deep concern over the attacks and strongly condemned the violence, emphasizing the need for coordinated action in the region.

If confirmed, Camara’s death would mark a significant blow to Mali’s military leadership. Camara was a key figure within the ruling junta and a principal advocate for the government’s pivot toward closer relations with Russia, a strategy that distanced Mali from prior Western military partnerships. Djenabou Cisse, an associate fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research, noted that his removal highlights JNIM’s capability to target the core of state power.

The current government, led by Assimi Goita following coups in 2020 and 2021, faces mounting pressure amid complex security challenges, with the recent attacks underscoring the persistent volatility in Mali and the wider Sahel region.