Madar (Bamako) - At least 13 civilians were killed in an overnight drone strike by Mali's military earlier this week near the border with Mauritania, local human rights activists and a separatist armed group said on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, according to the Associated Press.
Tilla Ag Zeini, secretary-general of the Kal Akal Association, said a Tuareg camp was bombed overnight Sunday into Monday in the town of Hassi Laghdaf near the Mauritanian border. "The bombs struck two tents and killed 13 people in their sleep, including women and children," he said, adding that the motorcycles at the site belonged to a civilian Tuareg family he described as "peaceful".
The Malian military said in a statement on Wednesday that it had targeted terrorists "gathered under cover" who had hidden their motorcycles in an isolated location, and that the position was struck "after confirming the target".
A spokesperson for the separatist Azawad Liberation Front posted images said to show what remained of the tents, along with a list of those reportedly killed; the AP said it could not immediately verify the photos. Human Rights Watch accused Malian forces and their allies this month of operations that harm civilians, saying all sides in the conflict are committing grave violations.
