BAMAKO, Mali — The French army launched an airstrike against a militant group in northeastern Mali, as part of its Operation Barkhane to "to neutralize an armed terrorist group,” it said in a statement. But a rebel coalition in Mali claims the strike killed at least five civilians, including minors. The differing accounts could heighten already growing distrust of the French army as militant attacks increase in the West African country. This is not the first time that the French army has been accused of an attack that resulted in the deaths of civilians. A few weeks ago, a community group accused the French army of killing more than 10 civilians in a raid that mistakenly hit a marriage celebration in central Mali.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 26, 2021 18:00 UTC