Human Rights Watch’s latest report details how a combat aircraft, identified by two Malian military sources as a Sukhoi Su-24, dropped at least two bombs on Kyrnia. The first struck near the home of the village chief, killing his wife, two of his children, and another child. The second hit a nearby livestock market, where four men lost their lives. After analyzing the attack’s circumstances, the organization concluded that the strikes lacked clear military targets and amounted to indiscriminate violence.

Africa Corps claims strike targeted armed groups

Africa Corps, a unit under Russia’s Ministry of Defence operating alongside Malian forces, shared aerial footage of a strike it claimed was conducted on June 15 against a gathering of “terrorist groups” in the Mopti region. Human Rights Watch confirmed the footage was indeed taken over Kyrnia but noted that no members of the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM)—an Al-Qaeda affiliate reported to control the area for years—were killed in the attack.

Local residents interviewed by Human Rights Watch revealed that three of the village chief’s sons are JNIM members but were absent during the bombing. They also stated that armed fighters were present in the village, primarily gathered in a mosque that remained untouched. Human Rights Watch has urged Malian authorities to launch an investigation and assign accountability. The organization highlighted that operations involving Malian troops and their Russian allies have frequently faced accusations of human rights violations.

According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), 918 civilians were killed in 2025 during operations attributed to the Malian army and its Russian partners. Meanwhile, the United Nations and Amnesty International have previously called for investigations into possible war crimes linked to both JNIM and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA).