Mali: Africa Corps strikes raise human rights concerns over civilian deaths

Human Rights Watch has documented illegal airstrikes conducted by the Africa Corps in central Mali, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The incident occurred on June 15, when a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 jet targeted the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti region.

The attack destroyed civilian infrastructure, including the village leader’s residence and a livestock market, while failing to hit any militant targets. Witness accounts, satellite imagery, and verified video footage confirm the operation’s devastating impact on non-combatants.

International law violations and accountability

According to Human Rights Watch, the strikes violated international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks targeting civilians or civilian objects. The organization’s senior Sahel researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, emphasized that “civilian harm was not an unintended consequence—it was an avoidable tragedy enabled by reckless tactics.”

The Africa Corps, operating under Mali’s military government, has faced repeated accusations of indiscriminate violence. Analysts note that the junta’s alliance with Russian security forces has raised concerns about accountability, particularly as Malian authorities have granted Moscow broad operational leeway in counterterrorism operations.

Demands for an impartial investigation

Human Rights Watch has called on Mali’s transitional authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the Kyrnia airstrikes and other potential war crimes. Allegrozzi stated, “The Malian government cannot evade responsibility for violations committed by its foreign partners.”

Mali’s military leadership, under General Assimi Goïta, has deepened ties with Russia following the withdrawal of French and UN peacekeeping forces. Critics argue that this shift has coincided with a surge in civilian casualties in conflict zones.