At least 21 killed in Islamist extremist attack in central Mali

“At least 21 civilians were killed” in the village of Djiguibombo, a few dozen kilometers from Bandiagara, a regional official said this morning.

Another official confirmed that around 20 people had died and that the security situation had prevented authorities from reaching the site.

Both officials requested anonymity due to the silence imposed by the military junta, which has been in power since 2020.

The attack, which began before nightfall, “lasted about three hours,” said a local youth representative, who also wished to remain unidentified for safety reasons.

“More than half were young people. Some of the victims were beheaded,” he added.

Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by the activities of groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as violence from other criminal groups.

On Friday, political and civil organizations in northern Mali condemned the killing of 120 civilians by Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries since May.