Militants from the Islamic State affiliate killed about 30 civilians in Mali in an attack this week in a town in a violent region bordering Burkina Faso and Niger, Reuters reported, citing a coalition of pro-government militias.

The coalition, known as the "platform," said several hundred fighters attacked its fighters and forced them to retreat Tuesday near Talataye in the Gao region, a longtime hot spot of jihadist and militia violence.

The fighters looted stores and burned food supplies, the Platform said in an online statement, adding that three of its fighters were also killed.

There has been no statement of responsibility for the alleged attack.

In March, UN peacekeeping forces in Mali expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in the same area of central Mali, claiming hundreds of civilians had been killed in a spike in attacks by an Islamic State affiliate.