Mali gov't says minister, intel chief assassinated

The Malian government has announced that Defense Minister Sadio Camara and National Intelligence Chief General Modibo Koné were assassinated during the April 25 attack by the jihadist coalition Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The attack, which involved lightning offensives on multiple fronts, is now believed to have been aided by foreign intelligence that facilitated the targeted killings. Camara was a key architect of Mali's pivot away from France and toward Russia, making his death a significant blow to the ruling junta's leadership and strategic direction.