But the Islamists soon took control of the region's major towns, sidelining the Tuaregs.

BBC: Mali conflict: France to increase troop numbers

But the Islamists soon took control of the region's major towns, including Gao and Timbuktu, sidelining the Tuaregs.

BBC: Mali conflict: US begins French troop airlifts

"The Tuaregs do not want to be ruled by Bambaras, Fulanis or Songhais, " three of Mali's principal peoples.

CNN: Islamist militants taking advantage of chaos in Mali

Dozens of ethnic Tuaregs in Mali's capital, Bamako, have also had their homes raided by troops, the group added.

BBC: Mali conflict: Troops accused of 'summary executions'

Since the French-led operation many Tuaregs have complained of being targeted by Malian soldiers who accuse them of backing the rebellion.

BBC: Mali conflict: 'Tortured Tuaregs die in Bamako jail'

Malian troops also killed two ethnic Tuaregs in the Niono region, and "other allegations of summary executions continue to come to us, " the group said.

NPR: Rights Group Warns Of Executions By Malian Army

Ethnic Tuaregs who had returned to Mali well-armed from fighting for late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi staged a military coup last year against the Malian government.

CNN: United States, Italy lend support for French in Mali

The current crisis in Mali began in January last year, when a rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs (helped by weapons brought from Libya as the Gadhafi regime crumbled) erupted.

CNN: Six reasons events in Mali matter

Not all Tuaregs back the cause of an independent Azawad.

CNN: Islamist militants taking advantage of chaos in Mali

Dozens of ethnic Tuaregs in Bamako, Mali's capital far to the west, have had their homes raided by Malian forces, and at times been subjected to pillage and intimation, the group said.

NPR: Rights Group Warns Of Executions By Malian Army