At least 10 civilians were killed in drone strikes carried out by the army in central Mali while villagers were preparing for a traditional mass wedding ceremony, according to local and security sources.
The strikes took place in the Tin region amid a worsening security crisis following coordinated attacks last month by jihadist and separatist groups against the ruling military junta.
Residents said the victims were preparing for a major cultural wedding event when the drones targeted a convoy of motorcycles travelling through the area.
Local sources described the attack as a tragedy that turned what was meant to be a celebration into a period of mourning.
Security officials confirmed the strikes, with one source stating that the drones appeared to have targeted the moving motorcycle convoy after identifying it as a potential threat.
The incident comes as Mali faces escalating violence following major assaults launched in late April by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and separatist fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front.
The coordinated attacks targeted strategic towns across northern Mali and reportedly killed Defiance Minister Sadio Camara.
Armed groups have since seized control of Kidal and several northern areas, while jihadist factions are reportedly tightening pressure around the capital, Bamako.
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