THREAD: On February 14, over 20 people (mostly women and children) were killed in Ngarbuh village in #Cameroon. The government claimed it was an accident — but our analysis shows that the official story doesn’t add up.
The Cameroonian government said that during a firefight with separatists, a fire broke out which led to “blasts, followed by tongues of fire that eventually spread and reached nearby dwellings.” This, they claim, killed the victims. journalducameroun.com/en/wp-content/…
Our findings contradict that account. We analyzed footage and satellite imagery and worked with @iayongwa, who spoke to sources in Ngarbuh. They say the military deliberately carried out the attack. Here’s what we know.
Witnesses say 16 of the victims (incl. 12 children) were killed at this collection of homes in Ngarbuh 3. Three buildings are completely or partially burnt — the damage is visible in high res satellite imagery from @planetlabs (& we narrowed down the date with daily imagery). 
A graphic video (clip here) of the larger, partially burned home shows the aftermath. We also see 2 structures still standing next to the completely burned down homes (in background). Note: no apparent firepath from the partially burned home to the other affected homes.
Witnesses told us this house was also burnt that day, when the attackers were moving b/t Ngarbuh 3 and Ngarbuh 2. The damage is again visible in satellite imagery. The distance (over a half mile) from the first collection of homes is inconsistent with the gov't story.
We also found homes damaged that day in two other locations. The distance between them all & the lack of damage to surrounding vegetation rules out a single explosion as the explanation. So while some questions remain, our initial analysis contradicts the gov't line.
.@ilariallegro also investigated the killings. @hrw has called for an independent inquiry into the incident, along with the United Nations and the U.S. hrw.org/news/2020/02/2…
The government has since established a commission of inquiry to investigate and reportedly arrested nine soldiers in connection to the killings. journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-ni…
