UN seeks probe into killing of Malian soldiers near Anefis

The United Nations demanded an investigation on Thursday into the killing of at least 50 Malian soldiers in an attack by Tuareg separatists and jihadists.

The attack took place on Saturday against an army convoy leaving Anefis, a strategic town in northern Mali. It followed weeks of fighting in which both sides sought control of the area.

In early July, fighters from the Tuareg separatist Azawad Liberation Front, known as the FLA, and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM, briefly captured Anefis and surrounded a military base used by the Malian army and Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps. JNIM and the FLA claimed responsibility for the convoy attack.

Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the UN human rights office, said the office deplored the reported torture and killing of dozens of surrendering Malian soldiers by the FLA and JNIM armed groups. He called for a thorough and independent investigation, including into online footage that appeared to show FLA and JNIM members firing at soldiers after they had surrendered with their hands behind their heads.

Al-Kheetan said killing, torturing or abusing people who are hors de combat is a war crime. He said the armed groups must stop such violations, prevent any recurrence, and that those responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials. He also said victims and their families should receive remedy.

Mali has been ruled by a military government since coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta has struggled to restore security after years of jihadist and separatist unrest.