BAMAKO: At least 17 people were killed in two separate terrorist attacks in the Bandiagara region of central Mali over the weekend, according to a statement released by the region’s governor on Monday.
The first attack occurred on Saturday in the village of Bodio, resulting in the loss of fifteen lives. Among the victims were three traditional Dozo hunters, representing a group that has been targeted in previous attacks. Additionally, two individuals sustained injuries during the assault.
On the following day, tragedy struck once more as a motorbike carrying two hunters hit a mine near the village. Regrettably, both individuals lost their lives instantly as a result of the explosion.
These attacks have been attributed to “terrorists,” and they serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by jihadist violence in Mali. The nation’s struggle against extremism began in the northern regions in 2012 before spreading to central areas in 2015. Notably, the establishment of Katiba Macina, an Al Qaeda-affiliated group led by Fulani preacher Amadou Kouffa, marked a significant turning point.
Various Armed Groups in Mali
In response to the escalating security concerns, various armed groups have emerged, including the well-known Dogon militia Dan Nan Ambassagou, comprised of traditional hunters like those who tragically lost their lives in the recent attacks.
Unfortunately, this weekend’s violence follows a troubling pattern of instability in Mali. Just last week, Malian soldiers fell victim to an ambush by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group. The ambush occurred near the Menaka region in the northeast of the country, where militants targeted a convoy of trucks en route to neighboring Niger.
The increasing presence of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) in the Menaka region has raised significant alarm. Recent reports from Human Rights Watch highlight the group’s deadly attacks, resulting in the loss of “hundreds” of lives and the displacement of thousands of people since the beginning of the year.
Mali continues to navigate these challenging circumstances under the leadership of a junta that assumed power in 2020.
