UAV event in Mali on Mon 5th October 2026

On 5 October 2026, eight drones, including six Akinci and two Shahed Harpy-A1, launched by the Malian army and/or Africa Corps hit garages and vehicles belonging to gold miners in Tin Zaouaten (Tinzawatene, Abeibara, Kidal). The strikes, launched from the Gao air base, caused unspecified material damage. On the same day, the Malian army claimed to have conducted airstrikes on Tin Zaouaten and its surroundings (coded separately). The army claimed to have 'neutralized' (meaning killed) 'numerous' militants (likely referring to JNIM and or FLA, based on the presence of both groups in the Tinzawatene commune and previous similar operations against them in the area). The army also claimed to have destroyed around ten pickup trucks, one truck, and several motorcycles. Other sources stated instead that the strikes only hit civilian targets, including gold miners, and casualties remained unknown. Some residents fled to Algeria following the airstrikes. Fatalities coded as 0, as per the lowest available estimate.