Mali defence minister killed as country hit by wave of rebel attacks

"Kidal had not fallen completely during those attacks."

— Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane , Activist

"The incident appeared to be the largest co-ordinated jihadist attack on Mali for years."

— Ulf Laessing , Academic

"Unfortunately, the Ministry of Defense, Gen. Sadio Camara, has been killed during the attack which targeted his house yesterday."

— Gen. Sadio Camara , Politician

"Kidal is declared free."

— Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan , Activist

"The coordination, conducting attacks all over the country at the same time — real coordination on the military level but also on the political level, because both claims of both groups they acknowledged that they worked together — this is a first."

— Wassim Nasr , Academic

"16 people were wounded, including civilians and military personnel, and that several militants were killed."

— Gen. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly , Politician

"Mali would observe two days of mourning."

— Issa Ousmane Coulibaly , Politician

"For Russia the attack has been a disaster."

— Ulf Laessing , Academic

"His death is a major blow to the country’s armed forces."

— Nicolas Haque , Academic

"These are two groups fighting for different objectives."

— Bulama Bukarti , Academic

"16 people had been injured but the situation was under control in all areas under attack."

— Issa Ousmane Coulibaly , Politician

"Neighbouring states and foreign powers were supporting terrorist groups but declined to name the countries."

— Abdoulaye Diop , Politician