Coordinated attacks signified a major escalation of insurgent violence in a region of West Africa where military leaders had seized power and warmed to Moscow in recent years.

The death of the defense minister, Gen. Sadio Camara, a central figure in the country’s military government, comes amid escalating violence in the region.

Mali’s defense minister was killed in attacks over the weekend by militants linked to Al Qaeda, a government spokesman said.

The armed group JNIM claimed to have seized two key cities and destroyed the defense minister’s residence in a coordinated offensive that experts said was a major escalation in yearslong hostilities.