Deadly Attack in Central Mali Leaves Around 40 Dead

In Summary

• Unidentified armed men killed around 40 people in an attack on Djiguibombo village, central Mali.
• Mopti region, an area plagued by insurgent activity.
• The attackers surrounded the village and opened fire, resulting in numerous casualties.
• Local officials reported the incident, describing it as a "carnage."
• Violence has escalated in the Sahel region, contributing to instability and coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

BAMAKO, MALI- Unidentified armed men have killed approximately 40 people in an attack on the village of Djiguibombo in central Mali, local officials reported on Tuesday. The attack occurred on Monday in the Mopti region, an area in Mali's north and center where jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have been active for over a decade.

"It was a very serious attack, armed men surrounded the village and shot at people," said Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo by phone.

While Guindo was unable to provide an exact death toll, two local officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that around 40 people were killed. "It was carnage, they surrounded the village where there was a wedding... There was panic, some people managed to flee, but many were killed, most of them men," said one of the officials.

The attackers have not been identified, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Attempts to reach the army spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful.

Violence has escalated in West Africa's central Sahel region since insurgencies took root in Mali and spread into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. This unrest has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of millions. The ongoing insecurity has also contributed to political instability, leading to coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.

The attack on Djiguibombo underscores the continued threat posed by militant groups in the region and the challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining security and protecting civilians.