In a series of coordinated attacks on Saturday evening, militants from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) targeted five villages in the Bandiagara region of central Mali, resulting in more than 20 fatalities.
The assaults, which unfolded between 5 and 6 PM local time, struck the communities of Logo, Soulakanda, and Dimbal within the Dimbal municipality, as well as Ogossagou and Kouroundé in the Bankass district. The clashes pitted the jihadist group against traditional hunter groups known as dozos, who often fill security gaps left by the Malian armed forces in remote areas.
According to local officials, civil society representatives, and dozo leaders, the attacks left a trail of destruction, with a mix of hunters and civilians among the casualties. A prominent dozo leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the military’s delayed response, noting that no official statement has been issued regarding the incidents.
When contacted for comment, the Malian army did not respond.
Residents flee amid fears of further violence
In the wake of the attacks, panic has gripped the affected communities, prompting many residents to seek refuge in nearby towns such as Bankass, where displacement camps are already overcrowded. Aid workers are raising concerns about the strain on humanitarian resources following this latest influx of displaced persons. Earlier this month, similar violence in the same area claimed the lives of more than 50 people.
Local leaders also highlighted a recent warning issued by a JNIM spokesperson, who vowed to target villages harboring dozo bases and refusing to comply with local agreements imposed by the militants.
