Human Rights Watch has documented what it describes as unlawful airstrikes conducted in central Mali on June 15, allegedly carried out by the Africa Corps—a Russian government-backed military unit—which resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The targeted area was Kyrnia, a village in the Mopti region, where no Islamist combatants were present at the time of the attack.

Witness accounts, satellite imagery, and video evidence examined by the organization indicate that a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 jet struck the village, destroying the local leader’s residence and a livestock market. Three additional civilians sustained injuries in the assault. The attack occurred despite clear prohibitions under international humanitarian law against strikes that fail to distinguish between civilian and military targets or cause disproportionate harm to non-combatants.

International law violations and accountability demands

Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s Senior Sahel Researcher, condemned the operation, stating that the Africa Corps’ actions “demonstrate a blatant disregard for the laws of war.” She emphasized that Mali’s transitional authorities share responsibility for the incident, arguing that their alliance with Russia effectively grants Moscow operational freedom without oversight.

The investigation relied on 19 telephone interviews conducted between June 24 and July 14, featuring testimonies from local residents, civil society representatives, Malian military personnel, and journalists. Additional evidence included satellite imagery of the strike sites, Africa Corps’ own footage, and photographs released by an Islamist armed group.

Calls for impartial investigation and justice

Allegrozzi urged Mali’s military leadership, under General Assimi Goïta, to initiate an unbiased inquiry into potential war crimes, including the Kyrnia airstrikes. “The Malian government cannot evade accountability for violations committed by its allies,” she asserted. International observers have repeatedly stressed that governments are legally bound to prevent and address violations by allied forces operating under their jurisdiction.

Since the expulsion of French counterterrorism forces and the UN peacekeeping mission, Mali has deepened its security cooperation with Russia, particularly through the deployment of the Africa Corps. This shift has drawn criticism over concerns about accountability and the protection of civilian lives in conflict zones.