The UN said on Friday that it was in the process of investigating reports of serious human rights abuses in Mali, which included the mass execution of civilians in northern Mali during clashes this week.
The clashes between, Tuareg separatist militants and pro-government paramilitary groups in the north of the country killed at least six civilians and aid workers on Thursday, reports Reuters.
The militants alleged that the pro-government militia rounded up nine people, including two people from international aid agencies, and then executed them.
The Malian government rejected accusations that its troops were involved in the atrocities.
In a statement released on Friday, Mali’s government said,
“The government is surprised by allegations of abuses on the population attributed to armed forces following the events. The government rejects such accusations.”
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, a coalition in the separatist movement, citing its sources on the ground in Tin-Hamma,
“The execution took place in public, at the town’s cattle market and the bodies were still exposed in the public square as of 1500GMT”