Ongoing story, first reported before this window: Moussa Ag Acharatoumane told AP on 20 October that Islamic State–affiliated fighters killed 48 people, including children and older residents, in Ménaka during the night of 18–19 October.
He alleged retaliation against civilians accused of revealing militant positions. Islamic State had not claimed responsibility. Mali’s army separately announced a strike on a nearby militant base; that announcement does not independently verify the massacre’s circumstances. (apnews.com)