At least 48 civilians were killed and several others injured in an attack attributed to the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Tagadayat, in Mali’s northeastern Ménaka region, according to a statement issued by the Idaksahak community’s executive bureau on Monday.
The attack occurred on Sunday, 18 October, when armed assailants travelling on several motorcycles reportedly targeted civilians, the community organisation said.
The violence has forced families, including women, children and elderly people, to flee their homes for the regional town of Ménaka. Many reportedly abandoned their belongings as they sought safety.
Warning of worsening humanitarian conditions, the Idaksahak community appealed to Malian authorities, United Nations agencies and national and international humanitarian organisations to provide urgent assistance to affected families. It also called for stronger measures to protect civilians and prevent further attacks.
No armed group had claimed responsibility for the attack, and Malian authorities had not publicly commented on the incident at the time of the statement.
