At least 15 people, including children, were killed in a series of drone strikes on Sunday in the northern town of Tinzaouaten, near the Algerian border, according to local reports. The strikes occurred in an area where intense fighting had recently taken place between Malian forces and insurgent groups.
This latest attack follows earlier airstrikes by Malian forces targeting insurgents around Tinzaouaten after a deadly clash in July, which resulted in significant casualties among Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries. The town has been a focal point of conflict, with various groups vying for control in the volatile region.
On Sunday, the drone strikes reportedly hit a civilian home, a pharmacy, and other areas within the town. Local sources confirmed that around 15 people, including children, were killed, with the death toll potentially rising as more information becomes available.
Malian military officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the strikes.
The fighting near Tinzaouaten in July marked one of the heaviest losses for Russian mercenaries, who have been supporting Mali’s military since their deployment two years ago. The conflict in northern Mali involves a complex mix of Tuareg separatists, jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State, and government forces.
Northern Mali has been embroiled in violence since 2012, when Islamist militants hijacked a Tuareg rebellion. The ongoing instability has led to coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020, with the new military governments distancing themselves from Western and regional alliances in favor of Russian support.
Despite a peace agreement signed in 2015 between the Malian government and Tuareg separatists, tensions remain high. The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP), a key rebel coalition, pulled out of peace negotiations in 2022, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region.