Mali: More than 30 killed in twin central attacks

More than 30 people were killed in twin attacks in central Mali on Wednesday, according to multiple reports that pointed to a rapidly rising death toll.

Reuters reported that about 50 people were killed in the assaults, citing three sources. Africanews, citing AFP, said local, security and administrative sources put the death toll at more than 30. AP also reported that the attacks left several people dead and injured.

The attacks hit the central villages of Kori Kori and Gomossogou and were described as near-simultaneous. JNIM, the al-Qaida-linked militant group active in Mali, claimed responsibility.

The conflicting casualty figures reflect how quickly the situation developed and how difficult it has been to confirm the full scale of the attacks. The Malian government had not released a separately verified toll in the sources reviewed.

The violence comes amid a wider security crisis in Mali, where militant groups have intensified operations in recent weeks. AP background reporting said the country had already seen a major coordinated attack by militants and rebels earlier this spring.

For now, the immediate facts are clear: two central Malian villages were struck, the death toll is high, and the final number is still likely to be clarified as authorities and local sources report in.