HRW: Russian Troops in Mali Killed Nine, Including Children

Human Rights Watch has reported that a series of killings attributed to Africa Corps troops occurred in the presence of Malian soldiers, according to a statement released on Monday. The alleged incidents took place in the northern regions of Mali amid ongoing clashes between government forces and armed groups, where the Africa Corps—a French-led military operation supporting Mali’s security forces—has been active since 2022. HRW’s preliminary findings cite eyewitness accounts and satellite imagery that suggest coordinated actions by the foreign troops while Malian units were on the scene.

The organization’s investigation documents at least twelve civilian deaths over a two‑week period in April, describing the victims as non‑combatants who were shot or beaten during security sweeps. Malian authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the presence of Africa Corps personnel during the attacks, and a spokesperson for the French Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the specific allegations. Both governments have indicated that they will cooperate with any independent inquiry, while HRW has called for a transparent investigation to determine accountability and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.