The Religion of Peace: More than fifty people were killed in jihadist attacks in Mali

At least fifty people died in simultaneous attacks on two villages in central Mali, in one of the bloodiest episodes recorded since armed groups launched a coordinated offensive against the military government last month. The actions were claimed by the jihadist group JNIM, an organization linked to Al-Qaeda, and once again highlighted the severe deterioration of security in the African country.

The attacks occurred in the towns of Korikori and Gomossogou, located in the Mopti region, one of the areas most affected by extremist violence in recent years. According to local sources cited by international agencies, armed men burst in during the night, shooting at residents and looting homes before retreating.

Several sources initially reported that at least 30 people had died, although later diplomatic and humanitarian sources raised the toll to over 50 victims. The final figure has not yet been officially confirmed, and several residents remain missing.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction. ''Unidentified armed men burst in shooting and looting the village,'' recounted a resident. In addition to the deaths, numerous homes were set on fire and part of the villages was left devastated after the attack.

Security sources indicated that the offensive may have been executed in retaliation for actions attributed to Dan Na Ambassagou, a self-defense militia created by local communities to protect themselves from violence in central Mali. Although some of the deceased may belong to local armed groups, among the victims there would also be civilians, including teenagers and minors.

The network of journalists specialized in Sahel security, WAMAPS, noted that the attacks resulted in a death toll exceeding 50 people and reported looting and arson in the affected villages.

The governor of the Bandiagara region condemned the events and described the attacks as ''despicable and inhumane acts.'' Meanwhile, the Malian army announced a response operation in the area and claimed to have killed about a dozen extremist fighters, in addition to destroying a logistical base used by the attackers.

The security situation in Mali is going through one of its most delicate moments since the onset of the armed crisis in 2012. That year, a separatist rebellion in the north of the country was exploited by radical Islamist organizations that quickly expanded and took control of large regions of the territory.

Since then, the country has faced a combination of jihadist insurgency, ethnic conflicts, and state weakness that has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people. Despite successive military operations and international support, large areas of northern and central Mali remain outside the effective control of the government.

Violence intensified again last month when an alliance between jihadist groups and northern separatists launched coordinated attacks against military and government positions. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), made up of separatist factions of the Tuareg people, declared its intention to overthrow the military government led by General Assimi Goïta, who came to power after a coup in 2020.

During that offensive, the Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, was killed in a suicide bombing near the capital, Bamako. His death represented one of the most severe blows suffered by the military junta since it came to power.

At a conference held this week in Bamako, army commander Djibrilla Maiga acknowledged that insurgent groups are attempting to regroup after the attacks in April and admitted that ''the threat remains present.'' He also stated that the armed forces are working to prevent further advances by extremist fighters.

The Malian government has strengthened its cooperation in recent years with the Russian paramilitary group ''Africa Corps,'' the successor to Wagner on the African continent. However, the alliance has not managed to halt the advance of armed groups in several strategic regions.

Recently, Malian forces and Russian fighters withdrew from the northern city of Kidal, which came under the control of the FLA. The separatists also announced that they would continue advancing on other northern cities and demanded the total withdrawal of ''Africa Corps'' from the country.

The insurgent offensive also included blockades on routes near Bamako, where armed groups set up checkpoints that hinder the entry of supplies and increase pressure on the capital.