Mali Defence Minister Killed in Coordinated Rebel and Jihadist Attacks
A coordinated assault by Tuareg rebels and jihadists, including a car bomb killing Mali's Defence Minister, marks the worst escalation of violence since the 2020 junta takeover, directly threatening the capital Bamako. Despite government claims of control, rebels have forced Russian-backed forces to withdraw from the symbolic stronghold of Kidal, signaling a major strategic setback for the ruling junta. The key takeaway is that the junta's reliance on Russian mercenaries has failed to secure stability,











