WASHINGTON, July 9 — The United States today said it was "deeply concerned” about increasing alleged human rights abuses by state security forces in the West African Sahel region and that they must be addressed.

"The United States has made clear that our assistance to the region must not be used in any way that contributes to violations or abuses of human rights and that without prompt and thorough action to address these allegations, US security assistance may be at risk,” US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. — Reuters