Military ups death toll in Mali attack to 54

The attacks hit the restive west African country's Menaka region, where gunmen reportedly rode in on motorcycles and opened fire on camps mainly housing members of the Daoussahak community.

The Daoussahak community is where the armed Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) originated, a group aligned with Mali's ruling junta, according to security and community sources.

Following the attack, a patrol was launched in the area which "discovered fifty-four (54) lifeless bodies in a camp in Tagadayat", Mali's armed forces said.

Sources had previously indicated to AFP that at least 48 people had died.

The armed forces said that the victims were buried on site and that nine survivors were evacuated to the city of Menaka.

It added that testimonies indicated that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State group's Sahel branch.

The targeted camps lie about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the town of Menaka, in or around the village of Tinabow and the Tagadayat area.

The armed forces said that patrols and security operations were continuing in the region.

A security source based in the city of Gao told AFP last week that the massacre occurred "in retaliation for military operations carried out in the area recently and for attacks by the MSA".

Mali has been plagued since 2012 by a security crisis involving jihadist fighters, separatist groups and criminal gangs.