Militant Attack in Mali Leaves Dozens Dead
- Russian Paramilitaries Involved
BAMAKO, MALI—A devastating militant attack in central Mali has left at least 25 civilians dead, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s ongoing struggle with insurgency. The assault, which occurred on February 8, 2025, targeted a convoy of vehicles escorted by Malian military forces and Russian paramilitaries, underscoring the volatile security situation in the Sahel region. The victims, mostly gold miners, were ambushed near the town of Niono in the Ségou region, a known hotspot for militant activity.
The convoy, comprising approximately 60 vehicles, was en route to a gold mining site when it came under heavy fire from unidentified gunmen. According to Colonel Major Souleymane Dembélé, a spokesman for Mali’s military, the attackers ...