Drone strikes in northern Mali, carried out by the Malian army and its Russian allies, have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians, including children. The incident comes amidst a fierce conflict between the government forces and separatist groups, with accusations of human rights violations escalating tensions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has appointed an advisory committee to examine ways to recognize and honor hostages and civilians who participate in combat or find themselves in unique situations during wartime. The committee was established following the recent massacre and the ongoing hostage crisis, and will examine whether existing guidelines need to be revised to better address the current circumstances.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a damning report, accusing the Burkinabè army of executing more than 220 civilians, including 56 children, during operations in two villages on February 25. Witnesses described soldiers arriving on motorbikes and in vehicles, armed with Kalashnikovs and heavy weapons, and rounding up and gunning down civilians. The victims included women and pregnant women. The massacres occurred amid a US-backed counterterrorism campaign, with Burkina Faso being one of the largest recipients of American military aid in West Africa. Despite calls from HRW and civil society activists to halt military cooperation, the US continues to engage with the Burkinabè military, raising concerns about complicity in the atrocities.
