In ten years of war, the Malian army has never been accused of such large-scale abuses. According to local NGOs and UN sources, between 200 and 400 civilians were killed between 27 March and 1 April by the Malian army and mercenaries from the Wagner group in the village of Moura, located in the Djenné circle in central Mali.
“If these macabre figures are confirmed, this would be the worst massacre caused by the Fama [Forces Armées Maliennes],” said a Western diplomatic source.
In a statement issued on 1 April, the Malian army referred to a “large-scale air-land operation of opportunity” in the Moura area, conducted from 23 to 31 March, which led to the neutralisation of 203 “fighters from armed terrorist groups.”
“Respect for human rights and international humanitarian law remains a priority in the conduct of operations,” said the armed forces’ general staff.
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