Saturday saw the death of over 20 persons in central Mali after a gang attacked a village situated in Bankass, Circle of Mopti region.
According to officials, armed individuals whose identities are not known attacked villagers who were going to work on their farms.
“Yesterday we counted 19 deaths but today it is more than 20,” noted Moulaye Guindo, Bankass Mayor.
The region is one of many across northern and central Mali where jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have waged an insurgency since 2012.
Mali has been under terrorism attack since the Tuareg uprising of 2012 which later spread around Sahel and up to the West African coast northwards.
Jihadists advanced despite very heavy costs in terms of foreign interventions that were aimed at driving them out; killing thousands and displacing millions as they raided towns, villages as well as military targets.
