Air strike resulted in the deaths of 8 civilians in Ségou region of Mali

At least eight people have been killed following an air strike in the town of Zanakoro, located in Mali's central Ségou region.

According to reports broadcast by RFI Farafinna, eyewitnesses on the ground confirmed that military aircraft dropped ammunition/explosives over the area, leading to the immediate fatalities.

Context of Ongoing Military Operations

The Ségou region has been a focal point for intense security operations. The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa)—frequently supported by their international partners, including the Russian Ministry of Defence's Africa Corps—have been conducting Operation Dougoukoloko across central and northern Mali to flush out insurgent groups linked to Al-Qaeda (JNIM).

While the Malian General Staff frequently reports precision strikes against terrorist gathering points and logistical bases in Ségou, local witnesses and humanitarian sources have raised growing concerns over the toll these air operations are taking on local populations.

The Malian military has not yet issued an official statement regarding the specific flight coordinates or the reported civilian casualties in Zanakoro.