The jihadist group Jnim unleashed a series of simultaneous assaults on five villages in central Mali, near Bandiagara, between 5 PM and 6 PM. The targeted communities included Logo, Soulakanda, and Dimbal within the Dimbal commune, alongside Ogossagou and Kouroundé in the Bankass commune. These violent confrontations pitted the extremist fighters against traditional Dozo hunters, who frequently step in to support the Malian army or fill security vacuums in vulnerable regions.

Reports indicate approximately twenty fatalities from these brutal Mali village attacks, comprising both traditional hunters and innocent civilians. A leader among the Dozo hunters expressed deep concern regarding the military’s apparent lack of response during the incursions, noting the absence of any official army statement. Efforts to obtain a comment from the Malian army on these incidents were unsuccessful.

Escalating fear of further aggression

A palpable fear of new attacks has gripped the population, leading many residents to flee their homes for safer, neighboring areas, particularly Bankass, which is already struggling with a large influx of displaced persons. Humanitarian organizations and local representatives are voicing growing apprehension about managing the humanitarian consequences of this fresh wave of displacement. This region has tragically seen significant violence recently, with previous attacks earlier this month claiming over fifty lives.

These recent events follow a prior threat issued by a Jnim spokesperson, who had warned of targeting villages that provide refuge to Dozo hunter bases and refuse to comply with the jihadists’ local agreements.