Drone strikes carried out by the Malian army on Sunday killed at least 10 civilians in central Mali as villagers prepared for a traditional mass wedding ceremony, according to local and security sources.
The attack happened in the locality of Tene in the San region. Residents said the community was preparing for the second edition of a collective wedding event when the strikes occurred.
A local resident said the victims were young people from the village.
“What was supposed to be a moment of joy in the village turned into immense sorrow,” the resident said anonymously.
A security source confirmed the strikes and explained that drones targeted a procession of motorbikes traveling together.
According to the source, the movement of several motorcycles in a convoy may have attracted the attention of the military drones.
A local elected official also confirmed the deaths, saying the community is now in mourning instead of celebration.
The incident comes during a worsening security crisis in Mali. Armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Tuareg separatist fighters have increased attacks against the ruling military junta in recent months.
In April, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) joined forces with the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) to launch coordinated attacks on military positions across the country.
The offensive targeted strategic towns on April 25 and 26 and reportedly killed Mali’s influential defence minister.
Several northern towns, including Kidal, are now under the control of separatist and jihadist groups. These armed factions have also imposed pressure and blockades around the capital city, Bamako.
Mali has faced a deepening security crisis since 2012. The country continues to battle insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, alongside separatist movements and criminal networks operating across different regions.
