Human Rights Watch alleges Russian-backed forces killed civilians in Mali airstrike
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Russian paramilitary personnel operating alongside Mali's armed forces of carrying out an airstrike that killed eight civilians, including three children, in the country's central Mopti region.
In a report released on Friday, the international rights organization said the attack took place on June 15 in the village of Kyrnia. According to HRW, a Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft dropped at least two munitions on the community during the operation.
The organization alleged that the first strike hit an area outside the village chief's residence, killing his wife, two of his children and another child, while also injuring a woman. A second munition reportedly struck a nearby livestock market, where four men were killed and two others sustained injuries.
HRW attributed responsibility for the attack to members of the Africa Corps, the Russian paramilitary force that supports Mali's transitional authorities in military operations against jihadist groups. The organization argued that the reported civilian casualties raise serious concerns over compliance with international humanitarian law and called for an independent investigation into the incident.
The allegations come as Mali continues to rely on Russian military assistance following the restructuring of its security partnerships in recent years. The Africa Corps has assumed a growing role in supporting the country's counterinsurgency campaign, particularly after the departure of Western military forces.
At the time of publication, no official response from the Malian authorities or representatives of the Africa Corps regarding HRW's findings had been reported. The allegations have not been independently verified.
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