World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
Islamic State-linked attack kills at least 48 civilians in Mali
Islamic State Sahel Province fighters attacked camps in eastern Mali’s Ménaka region over the weekend, killing at least 48 people.
The camps mainly housed members of the Daoussahak community, and children and older people were among those killed.
The reported toll ranges from 48 to more than 70, and the final number is not yet clear.
Sources described the killings as retaliation for recent military operations and alleged abuses against civilians suspected of helping the militants, though accounts differ on the details.
The attacks forced hundreds of civilians to flee to Ménaka town, with homes set alight and livestock taken.
The violence is part of a wider conflict in Mali’s Sahel region, where Islamic State-linked fighters and al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM are also fighting each other.
The death toll is still being assessed, while the Malian army says it struck a militant base near Ménaka.
At least 48 people were killed in weekend attacks in Mali’s northeastern Ménaka region, according to sources cited by several news outlets.
Reports said Islamic State Sahel Province fighters targeted civilians in at least five localities, with some sources putting the provisional death toll above 70.
The attacks reportedly followed military and militia operations in the area that allegedly killed civilians suspected of informing for the group.
Civilians were reported shot or killed in fires, and hundreds fled to Ménaka town.
The Malian army said it had struck a suspected militant base about 65 kilometres southwest of Ménaka.
- Who
- Islamic State Sahel Province fighters were blamed for the attacks. At least 48 civilians were reported killed.
- What
- Armed men attacked camps and localities in the Ménaka region. Reports said homes were burned and livestock stolen.
- When
- The attacks took place over the weekend, including on Sunday. Reports were published on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- Where
- The Ménaka region in northeastern, eastern Mali.
- Why
- Sources said the attacks may have been retaliation for recent military and militia operations and alleged abuses against people suspected of informing for the Islamic State group.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sources said pro-government forces including the MSA and Africa Corps conducted operations in the area, allegedly killing civilians suspected of informing for the Islamic State group.
The Malian army said it conducted operations about 65 kilometres southwest of Ménaka.
Islamic State Sahel Province fighters attacked civilians in the Ménaka region.
The Malian army announced it had struck a major base southwest of Ménaka.
Sources reported a toll of at least 48, with some provisional estimates exceeding 70.
- Reported death toll
- At least 48; provisional source estimates ranged from 48 to more than 70
- Region
- Ménaka, northeastern Mali
- Locations attacked
- At least five localities, according to sources cited by Reuters
- Army strike location
- About 65 kilometres southwest of Ménaka
- Reported displacement
- Hundreds of civilians fled to Ménaka town
4 sources
What people are saying
The militiamen from MSA who accompanied (Mali's army) and Africa Corps committed abuses against civilians suspected of being informants for the Islamic State
the armed group attacked civilians, accusing them of revealing ISSP positions to the Malian army
After confirming the intelligence gathered and assessing the situation, the site was targeted and successfully struck
in retaliation for military operations carried out in the area recently and for attacks by the MSA