Drone strikes executed by the Malian military on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least ten civilians, many of them young individuals, who were gathered to celebrate a traditional collective wedding in Téné, a community located in the country’s central region.

The drones targeted the Téné locality, situated within the San region in central Mali. These strikes occurred amid a critical security climate, following significant coordinated attacks on April 25 and 26. These assaults were carried out by jihadists affiliated with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda ally, alongside the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a predominantly Tuareg rebel group.

Throughout Mali, numerous civilians frequently become victims of reprisals and abuses by the army, its Russian allies, and even jihadist factions, often accused of collaborating with opposing sides.

“Ten of our children were killed by gunfire whose origin remains unknown,” a Téné resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared.

“What was meant to be a joyous occasion in our village has been transformed into immense sorrow,” the resident lamented.

A security source, also speaking anonymously, corroborated the reports of the strikes.

“The tragedy unfolded as villagers were preparing for the second edition of this traditional collective wedding, a significant cultural event for this community,” the source explained.

According to the source, the strikes reportedly targeted “a procession of several motorcycles.”

“This is certainly what drew the attention of the drones. There were at least nine fatalities,” the source added.

A local elected official also confirmed approximately ten deaths. “A wedding was about to take place when the drones killed at least ten civilians. This is truly a period of mourning,” the official stated.

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Mali’s ongoing security challenges

Mali has been embroiled in an unprecedented security crisis since late April, following a series of attacks by armed groups targeting the ruling junta, which appears increasingly vulnerable.

Since these events, military forces have lost control over several key northern localities, most notably the strategic city of Kidal. Defense Minister Sadio Camara, a central figure within the junta, also tragically lost his life.

Since April 30, a comprehensive road blockade has been imposed on various critical routes leading to Bamako.

In recent days, jihadists have set ablaze multiple transport and commercial vehicles bound for Bamako.

In early May, jihadist attacks, claimed by the JNIM, caused dozens of deaths in the country’s central region.

On April 20, three civil society organizations, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), lodged a complaint with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights regarding alleged violations committed in Mali, implicating the Malian armed forces and their Russian allies.