deadly jihadist raids strike villages near Bandiagara in Mali

The Jnim launched coordinated assaults between 5 and 6 p.m. on villages in the Dimbal and Bankass communes, including Logo, Soulakanda, Dimbal, Ogossagou and Kouroundé. The clashes pitted jihadists against traditional Dogon hunters, known as dozos, who often fill security gaps left by Malian armed forces in remote areas.

Local officials, civil society representatives and dozo leaders report around twenty fatalities, including both hunters and civilians. One dozo leader expressed frustration over the military’s failure to respond to the attacks, noting no official statements have been issued regarding the incident.

rising fears of further violence

In the aftermath, residents have fled toward nearby towns such as Bankass, where displacement camps are already overwhelmed. Aid workers express concern about the capacity to support the new influx of displaced persons. Earlier attacks in the same region earlier this month left more than fifty people dead.

Following the raids, a Jnim spokesperson reiterated threats to target villages hosting dozo bases that refuse to comply with local agreements imposed by the group.