Drone strike kills 20 at wedding ceremony

A drone strike believed to have been carried out by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) has left more than twenty civilians dead, including women and children, after hitting a wedding ceremony in Beydi, a locality situated between Gossi and Inabaw in Mali’s Timbuktu region.

Security analyst Zagozola Makama reported that the tragedy occurred on Thursday when a drone targeted the site of the celebration, turning what was meant to be a joyful event into devastation.

Eyewitnesses described a gruesome scene, with mutilated bodies, burned children, and heartbroken relatives crying over the ruins.

“The drone came without warning and dropped explosives directly on the wedding gathering. We lost many people—men, women, and children,” one resident recounted.

Local sources confirmed that at least 20 people were killed, while several others were seriously injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Malian officials have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the strike. However, civil society organizations have denounced the incident, calling it one of the deadliest targeting mistakes since the military junta assumed power in 2021.

The deadly strike has renewed criticism over the military’s increasing use of aerial attacks in civilian-populated regions as part of its campaign against jihadist insurgents in the north.

The incident also adds to mounting accusations against the junta of human rights violations and alleged secret dealings with factions linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

Northern Mali has been plagued by violence since 2012, when insurgent and separatist forces seized large parts of the territory. Despite ongoing military offensives, insecurity continues to grip the region, with both jihadist and government troops accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

In recent months, the junta—backed by Russian Wagner Group mercenaries—has ramped up drone operations in the Timbuktu and Gao regions, heightening fears among residents of indiscriminate bombardments.

The Beydi attack is now stoking further distrust between local communities and the armed forces, with observers warning that it could drive more recruits into extremist groups.