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At Least 69 Killed in Militia Attack in Democratic Republic of Congo
Local and security sources reported at least 69 people killed in a militia attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Separate jihadist attacks in central Mali killed more than 70 people in recent days, with one official citing a toll of 80. The Mali attacks were claimed by an Al-Qaeda-linked group targeting villages that refused local agreements.
May 10, 2:02 AM·1m read4 sources
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France 24Audio version
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The toll was reported Saturday by multiple outlets citing officials on the ground. Details on the exact location within the country, the identity of the militia or the circumstances of the assault remained limited in initial accounts.
Jihadist fighters launched a fresh wave of deadly attacks in central Mali that killed dozens of people, local and security sources said on Saturday, May 9. One local official said the latest attacks brought the death toll to more than 70 in recent days, while another official put the figure at 80.
Friday's attacks were claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM. The group had already killed at least 30 people in attacks on villages on Wednesday, according to the same sources. "Our hearts are bleeding," one local youth leader said, accusing nearby army detachments of doing nothing to help despite multiple calls for assistance.
" — Local youth leader, May 9 (Le Monde) One security source described the situation in the region as worrying and said JNIM is targeting villages that refused to sign local agreements.
Since then, several areas in the north have come under the control of armed groups, local and security sources said. A local official linked the surge in violence to intensified assaults by Islamist armed groups across the region. Both local officials and security sources confirmed the death toll exceeded 70 in recent days, with one raising it to 80.
