Gunmen in Mali kill 25 civilians in convoy attack | Australian Markets

Gunmen from an unknown armed group have attacked a convoy of automobiles in Mali, killing 25 civilians principally gold miners.

The assault occurred Friday about 30 kilometres from Gao, the biggest metropolis within the nation’s northeast the place armed teams hostile to the ruling junta operate.

It was the deadliest assault on civilians this yr.

The assailants focused a convoy of some 60 automobiles escorted by the military, army spokesman Colonel Main Souleymane Dembélé informed The Related Press.

He stated troopers assisted the victims and transferred 13 wounded to the Gao hospital.

He stated 4 of the attackers had been wounded and declined to touch upon any military casualties.

“My sister survived the attack, but she’s in a state of mental shock. She saw a lot of dead and wounded, a whole scene of horror. It was the first time she had seen dead people,” stated a Gao resident, who spoke on situation of anonymity for his own security.

No armed group has claimed duty for the assault.

A number of teams operate within the space, together with the Islamic State group, the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, and others from the Azawad area hostile to Mali’s army regime.

Mali has been in a disaster for more than 10 years.

The army seized energy in 2020, capitalising on the unpopularity of the previous democratically elected authorities, however the new rulers have struggled with lethal militant assaults.

Mali is Africa’s third high gold producer after South Africa and Ghana.