France, April 27 -- A government spokesperson confirmed on state television late Sunday that the 47-year-old had been killed, corroborating earlier reports from relatives and local media.

A relative of Camara's had told Reuters news agency he was killed, while a Malian journalist - believed to be his brother-in-law - also reported his death on Facebook.

A truck packed with explosives was repportedly driven into the minister's compound in Kati during the initial wave of clashes on Saturday, which targeted Bamako's international airport as well as Gao and Kidal in the north and the central city of Sevare.

Al Qaida affiliate ​JNIM and Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for the ​coordinated attacks around Bamako as well as in...