At least 30 people were killed in a series of jihadist attacks in central Mali on May 9, 2026, local officials reported. The attacks targeted villages in the Mopti region, an area long plagued by extremist violence.
According to a local government spokesperson, the assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on civilians, also burning homes and looting property. No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on groups linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State, which are active in the Sahel.
The United Nations mission in Mali (MINUSMA) condemned the attacks and called for a swift investigation. The Malian army has reinforced its presence in the region to prevent further violence.
Central Mali has seen a surge in jihadist attacks since 2015, despite international efforts to stabilize the country. The violence has displaced hundreds of thousands and worsened a humanitarian crisis.
