World
Human Rights Watch Reports Civilian Killings by Mali’s Military, Russian Allies and Armed Groups
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Monday alleging that Mali’s military, its Russian paramilitary allies, and opposition armed groups have committed grave violations of international humanitarian law, killing civilians in attacks and in custody. The report calls on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to urgently act to prevent further atrocities.
Mali has been in conflict since 2012, with the military fighting a range of armed groups, including Tuareg separatists and criminal gangs. The military government that has ruled since coups in 2020 and 2021 has sought support from Russia, initially employing fighters from the private Wagner Group, which became the state‑controlled paramilitary group Africa Corps in 2025.
HRW’s findings are based on interviews with 30 witnesses, human rights defenders, community leaders, journalists and a Malian soldier conducted from late July to mid‑September. The rights watchdog says the military and Africa Corps have killed and wounded scores of civilians in attacks and in custody, and that armed groups have also violated the laws of war, including torturing and executing captured Malian soldiers.
The report documents two drone attacks that appear to have been indiscriminate. On July 29, a drone strike in the Kidal region destroyed part of a health facility. On August 19, a strike hit a market in Bandiagara, killing six civilians and wounding at least 20. HRW also reports an operation in the Segou region where Malian soldiers shot and killed five girls, and an operation in Mopti where members of the military‑allied Dozo militia killed three civilians, all with impunity.
HRW cites an attack on a military convoy in the Gao region on July 18 by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and allied separatist fighters in the Azawad Liberation Front. The groups allegedly tortured and executed at least 19 Malian troops taken prisoner. JNIM acknowledged that prisoners were killed but denied ordering the deaths, while the Azawad Liberation Front denied executing soldiers.
The report also draws on data from Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, which shows 49 air strikes by Malian forces and Africa Corps from April to August that killed 89 civilians, more than double the 22 strikes and 44 civilian deaths reported during the same period last year.
HRW sent a letter to Mali’s defence minister on August 5 with its findings and questions but has not received a response.