The Macina Group, part of the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for shooting down a Malian military helicopter near the town of Kouakourou in the central Mopti region.

In a brief statement released through its media channels, the group said the helicopter was brought down on Saturday evening and claimed that all crew members were killed.

The group did not provide details on how the helicopter was shot down or the weapon allegedly used, and it has not released visual evidence of the incident.

The Malian military has not commented on the claim, and Al Jazeera has not been able to independently verify the group’s account.