Mali: Army blunder leads to village being deserted

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) is facing increased scrutiny after an apparent army blunder led to the deaths of seven people and the village residents fleeing, according to RFI and agencies on May 22nd.

Guirowel is situated in the central Mopti region’s commune of Kounari; a FAMA patrol entered the village on May 17th, triggering panic among residents who attempted to flee.

According to one resident, the soldiers “shot everyone who, in a panic, tried to flee. Six people were killed instantly. Another, an elderly man, was killed in his home. They were shot in the neck, face, or stomach.”

The resident added: “ Since 2020, at least 31 residents of Guirowel have been killed or are missing after army raids in the village.”

It is unclear why FAMA entered the village, although the Mopti region was the location of suspected jihadist attacks on May 6th and 8th.

Reportedly, the Mopti region has long been a hub for jihadist militants from al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Following coordinated attacks by JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) on April 25th, FAMA and its Russian auxiliaries have increased operations in northern and central Mali.

Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold in northern Mali, was recaptured by the FLA on April 25th; Malian authorities had previously regained control of Kidal in November 2023.

The coordinated attacks killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara at his residence in the northern Kati region.

FAMA and the Russian Africa Corps have faced repeated criticism over allegations of human rights abuses, including executions.

Between March 30th and April 3rd, counter-terrorism operations in the Timbuktu region by FAMA and Russian auxiliaries led to executions and the destruction of a market.

JNIM is particularly active in the northern Timbuktu region, where they have carried out assassinations.

The al-Qaeda affiliated group is also behind the fuel blockade Mali has experienced since September 2025; the group imposed a renewed blockade of Bamako on April 28th.

In February, the CD-DPA’s annual report implicated FAMA and Russian mercenaries in 374 deaths throughout 2025 in northern and central Mali; an estimated 553 people were killed overall in 2025.

On May 14th, FAMA opened fire in the Ségou region’s village of Sarkala; around 31 people were killed.

The victims were from the Fulani community, which is persecuted throughout the Sahel over suspected Islamist ties.

Maghrebi contacted Mali’s Ministry of Defence for comment on the alleged army blunder, but has not received a response at the time of publication.

RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org