According to Mohamed Elmaulud Ramadan, a representative of the Tuareg people, a vehicle traveling from the town of Niono to a refugee camp in Mauritania was fired upon on Thursday. Ramadan accused the Malian armed forces and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group of being responsible for the incident.
Meanwhile, Kel Ansar, leader of one of the largest Tuareg factions, called for an independent investigation into the incident in a separate statement, adding that the Malian armed forces were not involved in the bloodshed.
Previously, Human Rights Watch reported serious violations of the laws of war in Mali, including attacks on civilians. According to the organization, these violations were committed by both the Malian armed forces with the support of the Wagner Group and Islamist factions.