Human Rights Watch exposes deadly air strikes by Africa Corps in central Mali
Human Rights Watch has released a damning report documenting what it describes as illegal airstrikes conducted by Africa Corps—Russia’s military contingent in Mali—on June 15. The strikes reportedly targeted the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti region, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children, and injuring three others.
The attack, carried out by a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 jet, struck the village chief’s residence and a livestock market, with no casualties reported among Islamist fighters. Investigators confirmed that civilian casualties were deliberately overlooked in the operation, violating international humanitarian law.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, condemned the incident, stating, « The Africa Corps strike killed civilians (…) in clear disregard for the laws of war. » She further accused Mali’s transitional government—led by General Assimi Goïta—of enabling these atrocities by granting Moscow’s forces a « free hand » in military operations.
Evidence from ground zero
The findings are based on an extensive investigation, including 19 phone interviews conducted between June 24 and July 14 with witnesses, local civil society members, Malian soldiers, and journalists. Additional evidence came from satellite imagery of the strike zones, a leaked Africa Corps video, and photographs shared by Islamist armed groups.
Legal violations and calls for accountability
Human Rights Watch emphasized that international law—applicable to Mali’s armed conflict—prohibits attacks targeting civilians, indiscriminate strikes, or operations causing disproportionate civilian harm relative to military gains. « The Malian authorities cannot absolve themselves of responsibility for war crimes committed by their Russian allies, » Allegrozzi asserted.
She urged the junta to initiate an impartial investigation into potential war crimes, including the Kyrnia airstrikes, and to hold perpetrators accountable. The demand follows Mali’s growing security ties with Russia after the expulsion of French troops and UN peacekeepers.
