More than 40 civilians have been killed in attacks on camps in Mali’s northeastern Menaka region, with some local sources putting the death toll above 50, Agence France-Presse reported Monday.
The attacks occurred Sunday in the Tinabow and Tagadayat areas, about 50 kilometers from Menaka. Witnesses said armed men arrived on motorcycles, opened fire on residents and set homes ablaze.
The executive bureau of the Daoussahak community reported 48 deaths in Tagadayat, condemned the killings as a “massacre” and called for emergency aid for displaced residents.
It blamed the Islamic State group, although the attribution was not independently confirmed in the reports.
A security source told AFP the attacks may have been retaliation for recent military operations and assaults involving the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad, an armed group aligned with Mali’s government.
The Malian army said it had conducted operations in the area on Saturday, targeting what it described as a major base housing suspected terrorist fighters and military equipment.
The killings add to Mali’s prolonged security crisis, which has involved jihadist groups, separatist fighters, criminal gangs and government forces since 2012.
Residents fleeing the latest violence were reportedly arriving in Menaka as calls grew for humanitarian assistance.
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