Madar (Bamako) - The general staff of Mali's armed forces said in a statement on Saturday evening, October 24, 2026, that a joint patrol had found the bodies of 54 civilians at the Tagadayat camp, about 35 kilometres south-east of the town of Menaka in the north-east of the country, Anadolu Agency reported.
The statement said the patrol had been sent after reports of "terrorist" attacks on civilians in the Menaka sub-sector. Nine survivors were found and taken to Menaka for treatment, and the bodies were buried on site. The army blamed the attack, based on initial testimonies, on the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).
The army said it had stepped up protection of civilians, including helping residents of threatened camps move to Menaka, and vowed to pursue those responsible through the courts. The statement did not give the date of the attack.
Security and local sources had earlier reported more than 40 civilians killed in attacks on camps near Menaka on Sunday, October 18.
