Dozens Killed in Jihadist Attacks in Central Mali, Officials Say

At least 70 people have been killed in a series of attacks by jihadist fighters in central Mali, local officials said Saturday, following assaults on multiple villages on May 8, 2026. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked group, claimed responsibility for the violence, which targeted communities that had refused to sign local accords with armed groups.

On May 6, JNIM killed at least 30 people in separate attacks on villages in the same region, according to security sources. One youth leader condemned the inaction of nearby Malian army units, saying calls for assistance during the assaults were ignored. A security source described the situation as 'worrying,' citing increased militant activity and territorial control by armed groups.

The attacks follow a coordinated offensive last month by JNIM and the Tuareg-dominated Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) against Mali's ruling junta. Since then, security in northern and central Mali has sharply deteriorated, with large areas now outside government control. The Malian government has not issued a public statement on the latest killings, but regional officials warn of escalating violence. Authorities are expected to convene an emergency security meeting in Bamako on Monday to assess the crisis.