Mali's Military and Allies Accused of Widespread Civilian Abuses, Human Rights Watch Reports

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Mali’s military forces and their Russian paramilitary allies are committing grave violations of international law, including the killing of civilians. The report also states that opposition armed groups have engaged in similar abuses.

The US-based watchdog highlighted in a report released on Monday that soldiers and fighters are perpetrating serious laws-of-war violations while international organizations and governments appear to be largely inactive. HRW urged the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to take immediate action to prevent further atrocities in Mali.

Mali has been embroiled in conflict and attacks since 2012, with its military and allies confronting various armed groups, including Tuareg separatists and criminal gangs. The military government, in power since coups in 2020 and 2021, has sought support from Russia, initially through the private Wagner Group, which later transitioned into the state-controlled paramilitary group Africa Corps in 2025.

The HRW report, based on interviews with 30 individuals including witnesses, human rights defenders, community leaders, journalists, and a Malian soldier conducted between late July and mid-September, details specific incidents. The rights group stated that Mali’s military and the allied Russia-controlled Africa Corps have killed and injured numerous civilians during attacks and while in custody, contravening international humanitarian law. Additionally, armed groups have been accused of violating the laws-of-war, including the torture and execution of captured Malian soldiers.

HRW documented two drone attacks by the Malian military that appeared indiscriminate. An attack on July 29 in the Kidal region reportedly destroyed part of a health facility. On August 19, a second drone strike in the central Bandiagara region hit a market, resulting in the deaths of six civilians and injuring at least 20 others.

The report also details an operation in the Segou region where Malian soldiers allegedly shot and killed five girls, and another incident in the Mopti region where members of the military-allied Dozo militia are accused of killing three civilians, all reportedly with impunity.

Furthermore, HRW cited 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 from the Azawad Liberation Front. The report states that these groups tortured and executed at least 19 Malian troops they had taken prisoner. While JNIM acknowledged that prisoners were killed, they denied ordering the deaths. The Azawad Liberation Front acknowledged engaging in combat with the army and Russian forces but denied executing soldiers.

The HRW report also incorporated data from Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, indicating 49 air strikes by Malian forces and Africa Corps from April to August that resulted in 89 civilian deaths. This represents more than double the number of strikes and civilian deaths reported in the same period the previous year.

HRW stated that it sent its findings and questions to Mali’s defence minister on August 5 but had not received a response.