UAV event in Kidal, Kidal area, Mali on Tue 7th November 2023

Mali's army said Tuesday it carried out air strikes on "terrorist targets" in the rebel stronghold of Kidal where witnesses and separatists said civilians, including children, died in the attack.

The armed forces said on social media that the strikes "neutralised several terrorist pick-up trucks" at a military camp evacuated by UN peacekeepers last week in the strategic northern town.

The army appealed to people "not to give in to the terrorists' propaganda intended to tarnish the reputation of the Malian armed forces."

The Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg armed groups, said 14 people had died, including eight children gathered in front of a school.

It said they were killed by Turkish-made drones belonging to Mali's army.

Residents and witnesses, speaking mostly on condition of anonymity out of safety concerns, said between six and nine people died.

"Six people, including children, were killed by air strikes by the Malian army," said one health worker. "In the hospital, we have injured people."