UN rights office deplores alleged killing of Malian soldiers by insurgents

The U.N. human rights office on Thursday called for an investigation into reports of the torture and killing of surrendering Malian soldiers during an ambush of

a military convoy by insurgents and separatists, saying such actions would amount to a war crime.



The ambush occurred on Saturday in northern Mali between the town of Anefis and the city of Gao, according to statements from Mali's armed forces, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), and the al Qaeda-linked group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). A source close to the FLA told Reuters that more than 50 pro-government fighters were killed. Reuters could not independently confirm the death toll.



JNIM has shared footage online that appeared to show soldiers surrendering following the ambush, with their hands behind their heads, as well as rebels firing at some of their captives. Reuters has not independently verified the footage.