Tuareg rebels and jihadists in control of key Mali town after offensive

Tuareg separatists and their jihadist allies in Mali have seized control of the key northern town of Kidal after coordinated attacks on strategic junta positions, an ally of the local governor and local sources said Monday. Two days of fierce fighting between the army and jihadists allied with the Tuaregs have plunged the junta-led west African country into uncertainty over the military government's future. Defence Minister Sadio Camara has been killed and military ruler General Assimi Goita, who led the coup in 2020 that brought the junta to power, has not been seen or spoken publicly since fighting began at the weekend.