Deadly raids in Mali’s Ségou region: 31 civilians targeted
In early October, coordinated attacks by Malian army troops and allied militias left at least 31 civilians dead in two villages under the control of armed groups in the central Mopti region. The assaults, carried out on October 2 and 13, involved executions and the burning of homes, according to local testimonies and community leaders.
Village of Kamona: executions and destruction
On October 2, Malian soldiers accompanied by Dozos—traditional hunters mainly from the Bambara ethnic group—launched a raid on Kamona village. The attackers, arriving in seven pickup trucks, three armored vehicles, and on motorbikes, accused residents of collaborating with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant organization. The GSIM had reportedly warned villagers of the army’s approach, prompting many to flee before the attack began.
“Those who couldn’t escape were rounded up and executed,” a survivor recounted. Witnesses reported that no clashes occurred between the army and the GSIM, as jihadist fighters had already left the village.
The death toll in Kamona included 21 men, aged 20 to 65, and the destruction of at least 10 homes and three warehouses belonging to Fulani residents. Under a tree, 17 bodies were found, some with severe head injuries and bullet wounds. Four additional bodies were discovered north of the village. A 40-year-old shepherd, who had hidden with his 9-year-old daughter, described the scene: “People had been riddled with bullets, and one had his head completely crushed.”
Local leaders provided a list of the identified victims, though they suspect the actual number of dead may be higher. “We heard at least 15 more men were killed in the bush that day, but we didn’t go to check—we were too afraid the army would return,” a resident said.
Massacre in Balle village: 10 more civilians killed
Thirteen days later, on October 13, another attack targeted Balle village, located about 55 kilometers from Kamona. Soldiers in five pickup trucks and Dozos on at least 30 motorbikes descended on the settlement, triggering panic among residents. A 24-year-old man recounted: “I didn’t flee immediately, but when I saw soldiers going door-to-door and beating men, I ran. From my hiding place, I heard gunshots.”
The raid resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including a 55-year-old woman and nine men aged 22 to 67. The attackers also looted over 100 cattle. After the assault, the bodies of the victims were found scattered across the village, some with broken limbs and multiple gunshot wounds. A 33-year-old resident described the aftermath: “They were lying side by side, riddled with bullets.”
The victim’s 21-year-old daughter recalled her mother’s final moments: “She shouted at the soldiers, accusing them of mistreating villagers. Then they took her to where the men had been gathered and shot her.”
Military’s version contradicts witness accounts
The Malian army’s official statement claimed the October 13 operation in Balle was a “counterterrorism offensive” that “neutralized around 20 terrorists” and seized military equipment. However, residents insist the village has been under GSIM control for years. “We’ve paid zakat to them annually, and disputes are settled by the jihadists,” one villager explained. “There are no soldiers, gendarmes, or police here. The army doesn’t distinguish between us and them.”
Since 2012, Mali has been embroiled in an armed conflict with various Islamist militant groups, leading to thousands of civilian deaths and displacing over 400,000 people. Both the Malian army and its allied militias, as well as armed groups like the GSIM, have been accused of grave human rights violations. Earlier this year, the GSIM began besieging Bamako, cutting off fuel supplies to the capital and forcing the military junta to temporarily close all schools and universities.
Calls for accountability and international response
International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians, executions, and cruel treatment. Those responsible for war crimes may face prosecution. Although Mali withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, it remains bound by the Rome Statute until September 2026, and the ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes in Mali since 2013.
The African Union (AU) has been criticized for its limited response to the escalating conflict. Human rights advocates urge the AU’s Peace and Security Council to prioritize Mali, demanding stronger diplomatic efforts, regional coordination, and accountability for abuses by all parties involved.
“The council must take urgent action,” stressed a senior Sahel researcher. “Regular briefings, reinforced diplomacy, and coordinated regional and international efforts are essential to ensure justice for the victims.”
