Nine civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in an attack on a vehicle in Mali's Segou region last week, according to a civil society group.

According to a report by Reuters, nine civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in an attack on a vehicle in Mali's Segou region last week. The incident was reported by a civil society group and a rebel coalition late on Saturday, with both accusing the Malian army and Russian mercenaries of being responsible.

The vehicle was en route from the town of Niono to a refugee camp in Mauritania on Thursday when it came under fire. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the coalition of Tuareg groups fighting for an independent homeland in northern Mali, confirmed the attack. He, along with the local civil society association Kal Akal, claimed that Malian armed forces and allied fighters from Russia's Wagner private military contractor group were involved.

In a separate statement, the leader of Kel Ansar, one of the largest Tuareg groups, called for an investigation but contested the claim that Malian troops were responsible for the killings.

The Malian army did not provide a response when asked for comment, and Wagner could not immediately be reached. Wagner fighters have been operating in Mali since the army took power through coups in 2020 and 2021, subsequently expelling French and UN forces. They have since been assisting Malian forces in combating insurgents and Tuareg separatists.