Timeline: How Mali went from democracy beacon to instability

Mali has been experiencing a worsening security crisis since rival armed groups allied and launched coordinated attacks across the country. Al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has claimed responsibility for attacks in various locations, including Kati, Bamako, and Kidal. Tuareg rebels also claimed participation in the assaults, which have exposed security vulnerabilities in the country. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in the attacks.