Amnesty International has urged an investigation into possible war crimes following the killing of at least 19 Malian soldiers by armed groups in northern Mali. The incident occurred on July 18 during an ambush between the town of Anefis and the city of Gao, according to statements from Mali’s armed forces and two armed factions involved in the region’s ongoing conflict.

The attack reportedly involved fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, an al Qaeda-linked group. While details remain limited, Amnesty International described the killings as summary executions and called for an independent probe to determine whether war crimes were committed.

The United Nations human rights office also weighed in, urging a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The region has been a hotspot of violence and armed conflict, with multiple groups vying for control and frequent clashes between state forces and insurgents.

Mali’s northern areas, including Gao and Anefis, have seen a protracted insurgency involving Islamist militants and separatist groups. Both civilians and military personnel have suffered amid the ongoing unrest, raising concerns from international human rights organizations about violations of humanitarian law and escalating violence.

Authorities have yet to release a full account of the attack or the fate of those captured or killed. Calls for accountability aim to bring clarity and address allegations of unlawful killings in the conflict zone, where the security situation remains volatile.