A newly released report by Human Rights Watch indicates that both the Malian military and its Russian paramilitary partners have carried out actions resulting in civilian deaths, violating international standards. The watchdog noted that rebel groups opposing the government are committing similar severe infractions in the ongoing conflict.
According to the organization, the Malian military, armed groups and insurgent forces are committing grave laws-of-war violations while international organisations and governments largely stand by. In light of these events, the rights monitor called upon the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to urgently take action to prevent further atrocities across the nation.
Mali has experienced persistent instability since 2012, characterized by clashes between state forces, their Russian allies, jihadist factions, criminal entities, and Tuareg separatist groups. Following successive coups in 2020 and 2021, the ruling military junta aligned itself with Russian fighters, initially drawing from the Wagner Group before transitioning to the Africa Corps in 2025.
The findings highlight that Mali’s military and the allied Russia-controlled Africa Corps have killed and wounded scores of civilians in attacks and in custody in violation of international humanitarian law. Furthermore, the report emphasizes that Islamist and separatist fighters have also violated the laws-of-war, including torturing and executing captured Malian soldiers.
To gather evidence for the study, Human Rights Watch conducted 30 interviews between July 30 and September 20 with journalists, local leaders, human rights advocates, and a Malian service member in the central and northern territories.
The findings outline two distinct drone strikes by Malian forces that appeared indiscriminate. One strike in July inflicted damage on a medical facility in Talhandak, located in the Kidal region. Another strike in August struck a market square in Tombonkore, which killed six civilians and injured at least 20 others.
Additionally, the organization documented an incident from mid-July in the central Segou region where government troops shot and killed five girls during an operation. Later that same month, allied Dozo militia members killed three civilians in the central Mopti region, with all acts occurring with impunity. Human Rights Watch noted that it reached out to Mali’s defense minister via a letter on August 5 detailing its inquiries, but received no reply.
The investigation also highlights severe violations committed by non-state entities, including the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and separatist combatants affiliated with the Azawad Liberation Front. In July, these insurgent groups launched an assault on a military convoy in Tabrichat, situated in the northeastern Gao region. Following the encounter, fighters tortured and executed at least 19 Malian soldiers taken prisoner.
In response to the allegations, JNIM acknowledged that captives were killed during the event but maintained that top leadership had not ordered the executions. The Azawad Liberation Front confirmed that combat occurred against government forces and Russian personnel in Tabrichat, but denied executing captured soldiers.
