By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
In northern Mali, at least 21 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in drone strikes on the town of Tinzaouaten, as reported by a coalition of Tuareg-majority separatist groups. The drones struck a pharmacy and a group of people, leaving dozens wounded.
Mali’s army confirmed the attacks on national television, referring to them as “precision strikes targeting terrorists.” The region, which has seen rising tensions, experienced similar air attacks in July. During that attack, separatists claimed to have killed a large number of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries, though the army did not confirm the death toll.
Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, commented on the situation, saying that the lack of a “strong presence” of Malian forces and Russian mercenaries on the ground has led to an increased reliance on drone strikes. He warned that these airstrikes, including those targeting civilians, are expected to escalate as a form of retaliation following recent setbacks suffered by Wagner mercenaries in the region.
Source: Al Jazeera
