At least 18 killed in airstrike on market in northern Mali, separatist group says
BAMAKO: At least 18 people have been killed in an airstrike in northern Mali, a separatist group said. The army said it had mounted an attack targeting armed militants.
The Collective for the Defense of the Rights of the Azawad People, which is part of a Tuareg separatist coalition, said Monday the Malian army bombed a market 50 km (30 miles) north of Lerneb, in the Timbuktu region.
Seven people were also injured in the strike on Sunday, the group said in a statement, denouncing a 'barbaric act from another age' and a 'flagrant human rights violation.'
Mali's army said Monday in a statement on X it carried out air strikes on a 'refuge' in the same area cited by the separatist group, killing 11 'terrorists.'
Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for more than a decade battled an insurgency fought by armed groups, including some allied with Al-Qaeda and the Daesh group.
Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance instead.
Since seizing power in 2021, Col. Assimi Goita has struggled to curb violence in central and northern Mali, while the army has been accused of targeting civilians.
Last month, the Front for the Liberation of Azawad, the coalition of Tuareg separatist groups, accused the Malian army and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group of 'coldly executing' at least 24 people in northern Mali.
Last year, the rights group Human Rights Watch said in a report the army and Russian mercenaries killed at least 32 civilians, including seven in a drone strike, kidnapped four others, and burned at least 100 homes in towns and villages in central and northern Mali between May and December.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
16 hours ago
- Leaders
Ukraine, Russia Prepare for Major POW Exchange Next Week
Ukraine announced on Sunday that a significant exchange of prisoners of war (POW) with Russia will commence next week, following mutual accusations from both nations regarding delays and obstructions in the process, highlighting the fragile nature of their negotiations amidst ongoing hostilities. Moscow has accused Kyiv of postponing the swap, while Ukraine claims Russia is engaging in manipulative tactics. These tensions surfaced after Russia launched a substantial drone and missile attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's eastern city. Despite these challenges, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the exchange, which includes returning the bodies of fallen soldiers. Negotiations and Agreements The negotiations, held in Istanbul, resulted in an agreement to repatriate prisoners and the remains of soldiers starting next week. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's defense intelligence, confirmed this schedule on social media. The agreement, reached on June 2, marks a critical step in the ongoing conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for the families of the captured and deceased soldiers. The planned exchange will involve all severely wounded and sick prisoners of war, as well as young soldiers aged 18 to 25. This comprehensive swap aims to address the humanitarian aspects of the conflict, providing relief to the most vulnerable captives. Additionally, both sides agreed to return the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers, a move that underscores the grim reality of the prolonged war. Previous Exchanges and Current Progress Previous prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have generally proceeded without major issues. For instance, Ukraine recently shot down a Russian Su-35 warplane, demonstrating its ongoing defensive capabilities. The successful operation in the Kursk direction highlights Ukraine's resilience amidst continuous aggression. Despite the progress, the path to a full ceasefire remains contentious. Russia has resisted Ukraine's proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, instead offering a partial truce. Ukrainian officials have expressed their desire to continue peace talks, aiming for a more comprehensive agreement that could pave the way for lasting peace. Turkey has played a crucial role in facilitating these negotiations, offering to host further discussions between the leaders of both nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism about the potential for future talks, emphasizing the need for international support to achieve a sustainable resolution. As the planned exchange approaches, the international community watches closely, hoping for a successful implementation that could alleviate some of the suffering caused by the conflict. The upcoming weeks will be critical in determining whether this exchange can build momentum towards a more lasting peace. Short link : Post Views: 2
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Arab News
Wagner replaced by Russia's Africa Corp. in Mali: diplomatic sources
DAKAR: The Russian paramilitary group Wagner has left Mali and its units there have been taken over by the Moscow-run Africa Corps, diplomatic and security sources told AFP on Sunday. 'Officially, Wagner is no longer present in Mali. But the Africa Corps is stepping up,' one diplomatic source in the Sahel region said. A Telegram account affiliated with Wagner said: 'Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is going home.' Mali's ruling junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, broke off ties with former colonial power France and pivoted toward Russia for political and military support. Wagner, Russia's best-known mercenary group, was disbanded and restructured after its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023 following a short-lived rebellion against Moscow. Mali has never officially admitted Wagner's presence, insisting it only worked with Russian instructors. Wagner yesterday or Africa Corps today, our point of contact remains the same, it is the central power in Russia, that is to say the Kremlin Malian security source France withdrew its 2,400 troops from Mali in 2022 after ties with the junta soured and anti-French sentiment surged among the public. 'The Kremlin remains in control,' the same diplomatic source added. 'Most of the Wagner personnel in Mali, who are originally from Russia, will be reintegrated into Africa Corps and remain in northern regional capitals and Bamako.' The Africa Corps is another paramilitary group with links to the Kremlin and seen as the successor to the Wagner group. Like Wagner, its mercenaries are active supporting several African governments. For over three years, Mali had relied on Wagner in its fight against jihadists who have killed thousands across the country. 'Wagner yesterday or Africa Corps today, our point of contact remains the same, it is the central power in Russia, that is to say the Kremlin,' a Malian security source said Sunday. The paramilitary group's brutal methods on the ground in Mali have been regularly denounced by human rights groups. A UN report accused Mali's army and foreign fighters of executing at least 500 people during a March 2022 anti-jihadist sweep in Moura — a claim denied by the junta. Western governments believe the foreign fighters were Wagner mercenaries. Last April, bodies were discovered near a Malian military camp, days after the army and Wagner paramilitaries arrested dozens of civilians, most from the Fulani community. Wagner's withdrawal comes amid what the Malian army calls a 'resurgence''of jihadist attacks, including two assaults that killed dozens of soldiers and forced troops to abandon a key central base. A European diplomatic source in the Sahel believes Africa Corps will probably do 'much more training of Malian soldiers than Wagner did.' 'Although Wagner claims that its operations and support strengthened the Malian army, Africa Corps will need to continue training and support, especially after the recent wave of attacks against the FAMA (Malian Armed Forces),' said Beverly Ochieng, an analyst at the Washington think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Saudi Gazette
18 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Israel's defense minister vows to prevent aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg reaching Gaza
JERUSALEM — Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms. In a post on X Katz announced that he has instructed the Israeli Defense Force "to act to prevent the Madleen hate flotilla" from reaching the strip's coast: "You should turn back -- because you will not reach Gaza." Thunberg is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave. The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza's territorial waters as early as Sunday. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. Also on board is "Game of Thrones" star Liam Cunningham. After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end. An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship. Israel denied the allegations. — Euronews
