Airstrike in northern Mali kills at least 18 civilians

An airstrike in northern Mali has reportedly killed at least 18 people, according to a separatist group. The attack occurred in a market area 50 kilometers north of Lerneb, in the Timbuktu region. The Collective for the Defence of the Rights of the Azawad People, part of a Tuareg separatist coalition, condemned the strike as a "barbaric act" and a violation of human rights. The Malian army confirmed it conducted airstrikes in the same area but claimed the targets were armed militants. They stated they killed 11 "terrorists" in the operation. Seven others were injured in the attack on the market. Mali has faced ongoing violence from armed groups, including those linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. The military governments in Mali and its neighboring countries have been struggling with security issues since recent coups. They have moved away from cooperation with French forces, opting instead for assistance from Russian mercenaries. Col. Assimi Goita, who has led Mali since 2021, has faced criticism for the army's actions. In the past, a coalition of Tuareg groups accused the military and Russian forces of executing civilians. Human Rights Watch reported multiple incidents of civilian casualties and other human rights abuses attributed to the army and mercenaries over the last year.