2022 Bankass massacres

Overview

On 18 and 19 June 2022, a group of militants killed 132 civilians in Diallassagou and two neighboring towns in Bankass Cercle, in Mali's Mopti Region. The attackers, who spoke Fula, also burned huts and houses and stole cattle during the assault.

Background

The killings occurred within the broader context of an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel that began in the early 2010s, part of what is referred to as the Mali War. Central Mali's Mopti Region had already experienced a series of prior massacres, including those at Ogossagou in March 2019, Sobane Da in June 2019, and Bankass itself in December 2021.

The violence in the region is also connected to nomadic conflict, particularly disputes over water and land access between the farming Dogon people, who mostly practice traditional religion, and the nomadic Fula population, who are predominantly Muslim.

The Attacks

Over the two days of 18–19 June 2022, militants speaking the Fula language carried out killings across Diallassagou and two surrounding towns in Bankass Cercle. In total, 132 civilians were killed. Beyond the killings, the insurgents burned huts and residential structures and stole livestock (cattle) from residents.

Attribution

The Malian government stated that the perpetrators were Macina Katiba, an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group. The group is headed by Fulani preacher Amadou Kouffa and was established in 2015.

Sources and Corroboration