Malians tell of torture and killings by army and Russian fighters

Fassale, Mauritania – Tears soaked Cherifa’s veil as she recounted how her son was beheaded by a unit of Malian soldiers and Russian paramilitaries supporting the fight against jihadists.

Cherifa, who is in her 60s, was one of about 10 Malian refugees from neighboring Mauritania who spoke about the brutal violence meted out against civilians.

All the refugees’ names have been changed for their safety.