BAMAKO, MALI -- At least 20 people have been killed in an airstrike on a village in central Mali.

Hamadoun Dicko, leader of one of the largest ethnic Peuhl organizations in Mali, said witnesses described two air raids on Jan. 3 in the village.

"There were at least 20 dead and more than 27 missing. I have personally lost two friends," Dicko, who is president of the Tabital Pulaaku Youth Association, said.

Guillaume Nguefa, head of the human rights section of the UN mission in Mali, confirmed the incident but did not provide more details.