Mali: Gunmen kill 12 people in Mopti May 19

Event

On Saturday, May 19, unidentified gunmen attacked a market in the town of Boulékessi (Mopti region), located near the border with Burkina Faso. According to local sources, at least 12 people were killed in the attack, which involved a shootout between police officers and the unidentified gunmen.

Context

Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite a French-led intervention launched in 2013 that drove many extremists from their strongholds. France maintains approximately 4000 troops stationed throughout the Sahel, in addition to the presence of local military troops.

Advice

The security environment in Mali remains complex, particularly in the north and central regions. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.