‘We saw terrible things’: Mali refugees tell of atrocities amid attacks

Violence in northern Mali has forced thousands of villagers to flee, including Moctar's family, who witnessed decapitations and abuse. Homes have been raided by rival groups accusing villagers of collaborating with their enemies. The Malian army and Russian fighters are locked in conflict with al-Qaeda- and ISIL-affiliated groups that have seized land across rural areas, causing widespread humanitarian violations. The region accounts for half the deaths related to armed groups globally.