BAMAKO, Mali — In a tragic incident on Friday, a convoy protected by the Malian army was ambushed by gunmen, resulting in the deaths of 25 civilians, predominantly gold miners. According to a military spokesperson, this assault, which occurred approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Gao, the largest city in northeastern Mali, marks the most lethal attack on civilians recorded this year.

The convoy was transporting around 60 vehicles under army escort when it came under fire. Military spokesperson Col. Maj. Souleymane Dembélé provided details, stating that the soldiers present assisted the victims, with 13 individuals receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Gao.

Dembélé noted that four of the assailants sustained injuries during the conflict but did not disclose any information regarding army casualties at this time. A resident of Gao, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, shared the harrowing experience of a family member who witnessed the attack, stating, “My sister survived the attack, but she’s in a state of mental shock. She saw a lot of dead and wounded; it was truly horrific and the first time she encountered death.”

No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for this attack. Nevertheless, various armed factions are known to operate in the region, including groups linked to the Islamic State and JNIM, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, as well as others from the Azawad area that are opposed to Mali’s military rule.

Mali has faced ongoing turmoil for over a decade, with a military coup in 2020 that arose from dissatisfaction with the previous democratically elected government. Since then, the new authorities have grappled with ongoing militant violence, as instability continues to plague the nation.