Mali: 14 civilians killed in airstrike
About 14 civilians have died including eight children in strikes attributed to the Malian army in Kidal, Mali, Africanews has reported. The airstrikes occurred on Tuesday November 7, 2023.
Africanews reports that residents and witnesses, speaking mostly on condition of anonymity for safety reasons said between six and nine people died.
“Six people, including children, were killed by Malian army. We have some injured in the hospital,” a health worker is reported to have said.
VOA news reported the Malian army to have stated that, they had carried out airstrikes on what they called “terrorist targets” in the rebel stronghold of Kidal, where civilians are said to have been killed in the attack.
“These airstrikes neutralized several terrorist pickup trucks…We appeal on people not to give in to the terrorists’ propaganda intended to tarnish the reputation of the Malian armed forces,” the Malian army representative said. Tuesday’s incident is said to mark the first killings in Kidal since Tuareg-dominated rebel groups resumed hostilities in August.
