Deadly Attack in Central Mali Claims Lives of 21 Innocent Civilians

Gunmen attacked the village of Yarou in central Mali's Mopti region, killing at least 21 civilians and injuring 11 others. The assailants targeted the village near the town of Bandiagara, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Mali has been grappling with a violent insurgency linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State since 2012, which has spread to other countries in the Sahel region. The growing insecurity has led to two military coups and strained relations with Western allies, prompting the junta to seek assistance from Russian mercenaries.