Jnim militants strike five villages near Bandiagara, leaving over twenty dead

Armed assailants linked to the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (Jnim) launched coordinated attacks on multiple villages in Mali’s Mopti region late Friday evening. The assaults targeted communities in the communes of Dimbal and Bankass, resulting in significant casualties and widespread displacement.

The offensive began between 5 and 6 PM local time, with simultaneous raids on Logo, Soulakanda, and Dimbal in Dimbal commune, as well as Ogossagou and Kouroundé in Bankass commune. According to local officials and community leaders, the attackers engaged in fierce clashes with traditional Dozo hunters, who often fill security gaps left by state forces in remote areas.

The death toll has now reached more than twenty, including both Dozo hunters and civilians. A senior Dozo representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the military’s delayed response, noting that no official statement has been issued regarding the incident.

Civilian exodus follows brutal raids

Fearing further violence, hundreds of residents have already fled toward safer areas, primarily congregating in Bankass. The town is already overwhelmed with internally displaced persons from earlier attacks in the same region, which claimed the lives of more than fifty people earlier this month. Aid workers warn that the latest wave of displacement will strain already limited resources and humanitarian efforts.

Jnim issues fresh threats amid local resistance

In a related development, a Jnim spokesperson reiterated threats to target villages harboring Dozo fighters or those refusing to comply with local agreements imposed by the group. The statement underscores the escalating tensions between armed factions and community defense networks across central Mali.

The central Mopti region has become a flashpoint for violence, with militant groups exploiting weak state presence to expand their influence. The cycle of retaliation between jihadists and self-defense militias continues to destabilize the area, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.