A brutal massacre in central Mali which killed 160 people, including children, has raised concerns that US and French anti-terrorism operations in the African nation are inflaming ethnic tensions.

Last month, an ethnic militia composed of Dogon hunters is suspected of massacring a village in central Mali, killing 160 men, women and children. The villagers were targeted for being part of the Fulani ethnic group, which has been accused of supporting Al-Qaeda.

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to carry out an “uncompromising” fight against terrorism in Mali, but many fear that the foreign troops are actually inflaming ethnic strife.

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Ayo Johnson, a journalist and African affairs expert, told RT that the international community has looked the other way as three million Fulanis – the majority of them with no ties to extremists – are hunted down.

“For a large amount of Fulanis, they don’t understand this war. They’re not part of it. They’re not part of Al-Qaeda and its mission. But many of their women and children, in large numbers, have been killed – by government forces, too,” he said.

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