More than fifty Malian civilians were killed on Sunday, August 8, in four northern locations near the border with Niger. Terrorists, the official term for jihadists, are blamed for the deadly attacks.
The attacks took place on Sunday in the Malian towns of Karou, Ouatagouna, Dirga and Déoutéguef. All are located on an axis that leads north to the Niger border. The attackers are described as jihadists.
On motorcycles or on foot, they crisscrossed the four villages and attacked the civilian population. In this area, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) is usually the lead group. Among the victims (dead and wounded), women and children are the most numerous.
According to a former mayor of a nearby commune, the vast majority of the civilian population fled the area after the attack. Some remained to stay near their fields and crops. While most fled to the nearby commune of Ansongo, some went to Gao while others headed to Niger.
Why these deadly attacks? Another source says that local people are accused of providing the Malian army with valuable information. Recently, the Malian army conducted operations in the area to secure goods and people. Witnesses report that many Malian soldiers were dispatched to the area on Monday.