Mali: Nine civilians, including women and children, were killed last week in an attack on a vehicle in Mali’s Segou region. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, has been attributed to Malian armed forces and Russian mercenaries, according to reports from a civil society group and a rebel coalition.
The vehicle was traveling from the town of Niono to a refugee camp in Mauritania when it came under fire. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the coalition of Tuareg groups fighting for an independent homeland in northern Mali, confirmed the incident. The local civil society association Kal Akal also stated that Malian forces, along with fighters from Russia’s Wagner private military contractor group, were responsible for the attack.
A separate statement from the head of Kel Ansar, one of the largest Tuareg groups, called for an investigation but suggested that Malian troops were not behind the incident. The Malian army has not responded to requests for comment, and Wagner could not immediately be reached for a statement.
Wagner fighters have been present in Mali since the army took power through coups in 2020 and 2021, subsequently expelling French and U.N. troops. These fighters have been supporting Malian forces in their conflict with Islamist insurgents and Tuareg separatists.
In December, Human Rights Watch reported that Mali’s armed forces, with support from Wagner, and Islamist armed groups had committed serious abuses against civilians, violating the laws of war.
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