A devastating drone strike hit a small nomad camp near the town of Lere in Mali's Timbuktu region, killing 13 civilians, including six children and a woman, on Sunday night. The camp, located just kilometers from the Mauritanian border, was targeted in a region that has seen ongoing military operations against jihadist and separatist groups. Local sources reported that several people were also injured, with one woman in a critical condition.
The Malian army claimed that the strike targeted a gathering of "terrorists" in a hideout, with the military saying they had verified the target before carrying out the attack. However, local sources and the separatist group, the Azawad Freedom Front, painted a different picture, describing the victims as innocent civilians. The Azawad Freedom Front released images of the remains of the tents and a list of the names of the dead.
The strike comes amid ongoing military operations by the Malian army, backed by its Russian allies in the African Legion, against jihadist and separatist groups in the north and center of the country. Human Rights Watch recently accused the Malian forces and their allies of carrying out attacks that have killed civilians, highlighting that all parties to the conflict have committed serious abuses.
The Malian army's chief of staff announced that two strikes were carried out on Monday and Tuesday, targeting gatherings of armed individuals in the Timbuktu and Segou regions. One of the strikes hit a group of about 15 armed individuals in a hideout about 75 kilometers northwest of Lere. The military claimed that the site was targeted after verifying that the individuals had hidden their motorcycles away from the area.
The incident has raised concerns about the military's tactics and the impact on civilians. The Mauritanian government has not yet commented on the strike. The region has been plagued by violence and instability, with various groups vying for control. The Malian army's operations have been aimed at rooting out jihadist and separatist groups, but civilians have often been caught in the crossfire.
The victims of the drone strike were reportedly asleep in their tents when the attack occurred. Local sources described the scene as one of utter devastation, with the remains of the tents and personal belongings scattered about. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability from the military.
The international community has expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Mali, with many calling for a more nuanced approach to addressing the security challenges in the region. The Malian government faces pressure to ensure that its military operations are carried out in a way that minimizes harm to civilians.
Key points
- 13 civilians, including 6 children and a woman, killed in drone strike on nomad camp near Mauritania-Mali border
- Malian army claims strike targeted "terrorists" in hideout, but local sources describe victims as innocent civilians
- Incident raises concerns about military tactics and impact on civilians in region plagued by violence and instability
