Mali: HRW denounces serious abuses against civilians since April

In early June 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a detailed report accusing all major warring parties in Mali—jihadi groups, the Malian military, and their Russian allies—of committing "grave abuses" against civilians since the escalation of conflict in April. The report highlights a pattern of violence that has left numerous casualties and displaced families, raising urgent concerns about human rights violations in the West African nation. According to HRW, these abuses include extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detention, and the destruction of property, all occurring amid intense clashes between Islamist militant groups and state security forces.

The report outlines a timeline beginning in late April when the JNIM, a branch of Al-Qaïda operating in the Sahel, allied with the Tuareg rebel group, the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA), launched a series of unprecedented attacks. These assaults targeted key infrastructure, including the airport in Bamako, the garrison town of Kati, and multiple cities in both the northern and central regions of the country. The violence culminated in the assassination of General Sadio Camara, Mali’s defense minister, in a car bomb attack on his residence. This marked one of the most severe escalations in the region’s long-standing instability.

Among the victims were civilians caught in crossfire, many of whom were injured or killed due to the chaotic nature of the attacks. A 38-year-old man who survived an ambush near Kidal recounted being shot in the shoulder and thigh while fleeing from the battlefield. He was evacuated by soldiers to the hospital in Gao via helicopter. His account aligns with HRW’s findings that both the JNIM and the Malian military, supported by Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps, engaged in actions that directly harmed non-combatants. The organization noted that the JNIM burned over 40 civilian vehicles heading toward Bamako between mid-May and early June and executed an individual publicly in the town of Tonka, whose body was later found on a public square with a gunshot wound to the head.

HRW further documented the use of lethal force by the Malian military against local populations, particularly the Fulani community. Between May 14 and 17, the army allegedly conducted two drone strikes that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and adolescents in the village of Guimbé, and another strike in Tené that killed 10 adults. Witnesses described hearing explosions followed by cries of distress, with significant damage to homes and loss of life. These incidents underscore the escalating brutality of the conflict, with both sides accused of failing to protect civilian lives.

The report also includes responses from the conflicting factions. The JNIM stated that it adheres to Islamic law and applies punishments proportional to the severity of offenses, though critics argue that this justification does not absolve them of responsibility for killing unarmed individuals. The FLA claimed it had taken steps to ensure that civilians were not inadvertently harmed during hostilities, although HRW disputes this claim based on testimonies and evidence collected from affected areas.

HRW’s investigation relied heavily on interviews with survivors and family members, as well as analysis of social media content and satellite imagery. Despite sending a formal request to the Malian Ministry of Justice, the organization received no response. As the conflict continues to intensify, the humanitarian crisis worsens, with reports of mass displacement and increasing numbers of refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries. With no immediate signs of resolution, the situation remains dire, demanding international attention and intervention to prevent further loss of life and human rights abuses.