Terrorists attacked two villages in central Mali on Wednesday night, killing around 50 people, including members of pro-government self-defence forces and civilians, three sources told Reuters on Thursday. AFP news agency placed the death toll at more than 30.
They are the deadliest known attacks since an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group teamed up with the Tuareg-led separatists for a coordinated assault across the West African country in late April. Sporadic fighting has persisted since.
The terrorists hit two localities in Mopti region, said the three sources, an aid worker, a diplomat and a security source.
A resident of Bankass, near the targeted localities, also confirmed attacks had taken place on Wednesday night but could not provide a death toll or the identity of the perpetrators.
'Threat still present'
"Unidentified armed men burst in, opening fire and ransacking the village," the person said.
It was not clear how many of the people killed were civilians. Local self-defence groups and hunters, often allied with the Mali military, frequently protect villages against armed attacks in that region.
During a press conference in Bamako on Wednesday, Malian army commander Djibrilla Maiga said terrorists were attempting to reorganise after the April 25 strikes, which killed the country's defence minister.
"The threat is still present," Maiga said, though he added that the military was disrupting their manoeuvres.
President's home also targeted in April attacks
Maiga said the terrorists were disrupting travel to western Mali, but that other roads were passable.
In addition to killing Defence Minister Sadio Camara by driving a car laden with explosives into his residence, the terrorists targeted the home of Assimi Goita, the country's leader, Maiga said.
Security forces "contained the threat and defused the vehicle", he said.
Goita appeared on state television on April 28 and said the situation in Mali is under control.
Malian forces have "neutralised" several hundred "terrorists" since the April 25 attacks, Maiga said.
