A/HRC/31/76 Serval/Barkhane Operation. The modus operandi of the attacks typically involved the use of rockets, anti-personnel mines, suicide attacks and explosive devices. 16. Since March 2015, the number of asymmetric attacks each month has ranged from 8 to 14, with two peaks of 14 attacks in May and September. The May attacks could be linked to a show of force by the armed groups prior to the signing of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation. 17. During the reporting period, the number of civilians and military personnel who died in such attacks was 68 (39 military personnel and 29 civilians). The number of military victims reached a peak in August (16 deaths) following various terrorist attacks against government targets. For example, the 7 August Sévaré attack claimed the lives of four military personnel. The number of civilian victims peaked in April (11 persons killed and 54 wounded), a month that was notable for an incident involving a lorry carrying civilians that hit a mine on 30 April (28 persons injured) and an attack on MINUSMA in the vicinity of the Ansongo camp on 17 April (2 civilians killed and some 20 wounded). 18. Since early 2015, the security situation has deteriorated steadily in the Mopti and Ségou regions. Attacks that struck the regions of Tenenkou and Youwarou in the first three months of 2015 continued and spread to other areas. 19. The radicalization of certain members of the Peulh community is one of the main threats in these two regions. The Independent Expert was informed that, since the beginning of 2015, most of the attacks recorded in this area are attributed by the authorities to members of this community, although there is no concrete evidence to support this. Acts by a few individuals are thus attributed to the Peulh community as a whole. 20. Since the last visit to Mali by the Independent Expert, there have been numerous incidents in the Gao region that have adversely affected the protection of human rights and individual freedoms. The security situation in the Gao region remains a matter of concern. Since March 2015, the number of improvised explosive device explosions has increased along several of the region’s roads (Ansongo-Indelimane and GaoGossi). 21. The Human Rights Division recorded 105 cases of banditry between March and September 2015 (62 cases in Timbuktu, 26 in Gao, 15 in Mopti and 2 in Kidal) that have had an impact on the security situation and human rights. Traders who transport goods from Bamako to the northern regions are often targeted by bandits, in particular in the Timbuktu region. During the reporting period, most of the attacks took place along two routes: the road linking Timbuktu and Goundam, situated 95 km to the south-west of Timbuktu and the road linking Timbuktu and Ber, 60 km to the east of Timbuktu. In Ménaka, repeated hold-ups on market days are a source of fear and panic in people’s daily lives. Bandits have taken advantage of the delays in re -establishing civilian authorities and State security forces in the north of the country. 22. The Independent Expert heard a great deal about the threat posed by illegal trafficking, in particular drug trafficking. Most of the clashes between armed groups in the north of the country are aimed at establishing control over illegal trafficking routes and, especially in the rainy season, control of all-weather roads. Senior Malian authorities have expressed their concern in this connection. Drug trafficking has a detrimental impact on national security, regional and international stability, international peace and State sovereignty. It undermines respect for human rights and the rule of law, democratic institutions and sustainable development. GE.16-00837 5/18