A new wave of jihadist attacks in central Mali has left dozens dead, with local officials saying the toll from recent violence has now climbed above 70. The latest assaults took place Friday and were claimed by the al Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), according to local and security sources cited by France 24.
The attacks come after violence on Wednesday, when at least 30 people were killed in separate raids on villages in the same area. One local official said the cumulative death toll from the past several days had now surpassed 70, while another official put the number even higher at 80.
The continued violence has brought attention to Mali’s worsening security crisis as armed Islamist groups have expanded operations. One security source described conditions on the ground as “worrying" and getting worse.
“JNIM is targeting villages that refused to sign local agreements,” the source told the outlet. Residents in affected areas also criticized the military response. “Our hearts are bleeding,” one local youth leader said, accusing nearby army units of failing to intervene despite repeated requests for assistance. The latest attack come just weeks after JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) carried out a major assault against Mali’s ruling military junta.
That attack was a significant escalation in fighting against government forces. Since then, security conditions have further deteriorated, with several northern regions reportedly falling under the control of armed groups.
Mali has faced years of insurgent violence linked to Islamist organizations operating across the Sahel, with both military personnel and civilians regularly targeted in attacks.
It has not been reported if the attacks were specifically targeted against Christians.
The attacks come after violence on Wednesday, when at least 30 people were killed in separate raids on villages in the same area. One local official said the cumulative death toll from the past several days had now surpassed 70, while another official put the number even higher at 80.
The continued violence has brought attention to Mali’s worsening security crisis as armed Islamist groups have expanded operations. One security source described conditions on the ground as “worrying" and getting worse.
“JNIM is targeting villages that refused to sign local agreements,” the source told the outlet. Residents in affected areas also criticized the military response. “Our hearts are bleeding,” one local youth leader said, accusing nearby army units of failing to intervene despite repeated requests for assistance. The latest attack come just weeks after JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) carried out a major assault against Mali’s ruling military junta.
That attack was a significant escalation in fighting against government forces. Since then, security conditions have further deteriorated, with several northern regions reportedly falling under the control of armed groups.
Mali has faced years of insurgent violence linked to Islamist organizations operating across the Sahel, with both military personnel and civilians regularly targeted in attacks.
It has not been reported if the attacks were specifically targeted against Christians.
