In Mali, at least 20 people were killed in the northeastern region of Menaka in a militant attack on two settlements. According to local media reports. the incident occurred near the border with Niger, where the Tuareg-led Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) has several posts. Those killed include several elderly persons and MSA members. No terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The situation in Mali destabilised in 2012 when the Tuareg militants seized vast territories in the northern part of the country. The conflict escalated even more over the activities of forces loyal to former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as well as French interference. Attacks against civilians have increased in Menaka since last year when the UN’s mission in Mali documented 100 cases of human rights violations there.