Mali’s military and allied militias have been accused of killing at least 31 people in attacks on two villages in the central Segou region, where the main insurgent group linked to al Qaeda operates.
The attacks occurred on October 2 in Kamona village, where 21 men were killed and homes were burned, and on October 13 in Balle village, where 10 people, including one woman, were killed.
Witnesses described army and militia forces executing villagers after accusing them of collaborating with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the al Qaeda-allied group that has expanded operations in southern Mali.
A local herder survived by hiding with his nine-year-old daughter and later found 17 bodies riddled with bullets.
Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into the killings and urged the African Union to help end the conflict and hold parties accountable.
The African Union and Mali’s army have not responded to requests for comment.
Mali has been under pressure from jihadist groups, which have imposed a fuel blockade, leading to long queues and increased diesel generator costs.
