A United Nations report out on Monday noted a fourfold rise in civilian deaths and human rights abuses in late 2021 by all actors in the conflict, including jihadists, militias, self-defence groups, foreign military and Malian soldiers.
Although jihadists are the primary source of violence against the population, the report indicates an "exponential rise" in fatalities and abuses by the Malian armed forces, "supported by foreign military elements". These foreign elements were not identified in the report.
