Douna drone strike

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Douna drone strike

On the night of March 22–23, 2024, Malian forces used a Bayraktar TB2 drone to strike a madrasa in the village of Douna, in Douentza Cercle, Mali. Fourteen children were killed and nine were injured. The students were gathered around a fire in the evening when the strike hit.

Background: Douna sits in an area that has long been a base for jihadist groups, including Katiba Serma, which is part of Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). Jihadists operate in nearby forests, and the area had recently seen Malian army operations that closed access to those forests.

Aftermath: The attack sparked controversy in the Malian government and army, with photos of victims circulating. JNIM condemned the strike and criticized the use of Bayraktar drones. There were calls from various actors to halt drone sales to the region. Earlier in March, other drone strikes in Amasrakad and Konokassi had also caused civilian casualties.

Casualties: Among the 14 who died were children from the Ongoiba, Sawadogo, and Maiga families. Nine other children were wounded and taken to hospitals in Mopti and Sévaré.