Mali forces and Russian backers kill scores of civilians

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 06:01 · Archive

Human Rights Watch says Mali's military and Russian-backed Africa Corps have killed scores of civilians in apparent indiscriminate drone strikes.

Human Rights Watch says Mali's military and its Russian-backed partner Africa Corps have killed scores of civilians in apparent indiscriminate drone strikes against insurgents. The report, released on Monday, found that drone strikes and resulting civilian casualties more than doubled between April and August compared with the same period a year earlier.

Data from conflict monitor ACLED showed Malian forces and Africa Corps carried out 47 drone strikes resulting in 94 civilian deaths from April to August, up from 22 strikes resulting in 44 civilian deaths in the same period the previous year. An August 19 strike on a cattle market in Bandiagara in central Mali killed six men. A pre-dawn strike on 29 July on a health centre in Kidal in the northern region near the Algerian border also caused civilian casualties, Human Rights Watch said.

Mali's military leaders, who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, enlisted Russia-controlled Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group, in response to nationwide attacks on 25 April by the regional al Qaeda affiliate JNIM and Tuareg-led separatists. Those attacks killed Mali's defence minister and hit multiple towns, cities and the main airport in Bamako. Human Rights Watch alleges Mali's military and Africa Corps have 'killed and wounded scores of civilians in attacks and in custody in violation of international humanitarian law'.

Mali forces and Russian backers kill scores of civilians — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

Mali forces, Russian backers kill scores of civiliansHuman Rights Watch says Mali's military is violating international humanitarian law in response to attacks by Islamist and separatist armed groups.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 05:29
Mali forces, Russian backers kill scores of civiliansHuman Rights Watch says Mali's military is violating international humanitarian law in response to attacks by Islamist and separatist armed groups.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 05:29

In this story: Mali · Human Rights Watch · Africa Corps · Russia · JNIM · Bamako

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