Mali defence minister killed, fresh fighting between army and rebels

BAMAKO, Apr 26: Mali's defence minister died after an attack on his house, his family said Sunday, as the army fought a second day of battles with jihadist fighters and separatist rebels near the capital Bamako and other cities, putting the Sahel nation's ruling junta under severe pressure.

Defence Minister SadioCamara, his second wife and two of his grandchildren died after a car bomb attack on his home in the junta stronghold of Kita, outside Bamako, his family and an official said.

Saturday's shock attacks, synchronised by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted several areas in the vast arid country.

Fighting resumed Sunday in several areas, including Kita near Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Severe.

Meanwhile, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned "acts of violence" in Mali after jihadists and Tuareg rebels claimed attacks against the army across the junta-ruled Sahel state.

"The Secretary General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali," his spokesman said in a statement.�"AFP