Suspected jihadist attack in northern Mali claims 32 lives
What's the story
A suspected jihadist attack has killed 32 people in northern Mali, between the cities of Gao and Ansongo.
The Friday incident, which initially reported a death toll of 10, later escalated to 32.
"We have more than 30 bodies from the scene," a hospital source in Gao confirmed.
The victims included civilians and soldiers traveling in a convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Russia's Wagner mercenaries.
Ambush details
Convoy ambush details emerge amid rising death toll
The attack was aimed at a civilian convoy that was being escorted by Malian soldiers and Russia's Wagner mercenaries.
"The jihadists ambushed a civilian convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries," an anonymous local official revealed.
The convoy had 10 escort vehicles, 22 minibuses, six large buses, and eight lorries.
At least five lorries were destroyed in the attack, which is suspected to be the work of Islamic State (IS) jihadists, although IS has not claimed responsibility.
Victims' profile
Victims primarily foreigners heading to gold mine
The civilian victims were mostly foreigners heading to a gold mine in Intahaka, a major gold mining area in northern Mali.
Mali is among Africa's top gold producers, although production has recently declined.
The road between Ansongo and Gao, where the attack took place, has seen several recent attacks by jihadists or bandits.
The Malian army has not officially commented on the attack but said they control the situation along this route.
Security challenges
Mali's ongoing struggle with jihadist violence
Since 2012, Mali has struggled with security concerns due to violence from Al-Qaeda and IS-linked groups and local criminal gangs.
In January, a top IS leader, Abou Hach, was arrested by the Malian army in an operation in the Gao region.
The country has been unstable with several coups since 2012 and has changed its political and military ties from France to Russia.