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Dozens Killed in Attacks on Central Mali Villages; JNIM Claims Responsibility
Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM fighters struck the villages of Korikori and Gomossogou on May 6 2026, killing at least 35 people in assaults claimed as retaliation against the Dan Nan Ambassagou militia. The attacks came less than two weeks after coordinated JNIM and Azawad Liberation Front offensives that killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara and allowed rebels to seize northern towns including Kidal.
May 7, 4:48 PM·2m read2 sources
France 24Audio version
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Armed fighters killed at least 30 people in near-simultaneous attacks on the villages of Korikori and Gomossogou in central Mali on 6 May 2026, according to local, security and administrative sources cited by AFP. France 24 reported more than 30 people died in the strikes while a youth official gave a toll of at least 35.
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the assaults. Provisional figures from WAMAPS placed the overall death toll above 50 with several people still missing.
The villages were looted and some properties set on fire. A security source told AFP the attacks were carried out in retaliation for acts committed by the Dan Nan Ambassagou militia. The victims were mostly militiamen but also included teenagers and children.
The governor of the Bandiagara region condemned the “despicable and inhumane acts” in the strongest possible terms. On 7 May 2026 the Malian army announced it had conducted a targeted operation against terrorist armed groups in the area and said around a dozen fighters were neutralised.
The 6 May attacks occurred on the same day that armed fighters stormed the Kenieroba Central Prison, located about 60 km southwest of Bamako. The facility holds 2,500 prisoners including at least 72 inmates considered high value by the Malian state.
Several opposition figures and military personnel have been detained or abducted following the large-scale attacks on the junta, according to security, legal and family sources.
