Mali civil abuses by armed groups and military forces exposed

Human rights violations in Mali have escalated following coordinated attacks in late April, with multiple armed factions accused of targeting civilians, according to a new report.

Accusations against jihadists, rebels, and security forces

In its latest findings, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented widespread allegations of civilian harm across Mali’s conflict zones. The report implicates the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), Malian security forces, and Russian-affiliated Africa Corps fighters in a series of what HRW describes as “unlawful attacks against civilians”.

Since the surge in violence following coordinated assaults on April 25 and 26, at least 13 civilians have been killed and 25 injured in Gao and Kidal alone. Witnesses describe indiscriminate gunfire from all directions, leaving residents caught in crossfire with no clear origin of the attacks. One resident of Kidal, a 38-year-old man, recounted his injuries: “I was shot in the right shoulder and left thigh, but I couldn’t tell who fired the bullets.”

Destruction, executions, and drone strikes

HRW’s investigation highlights several alarming incidents:

• Jihadist attacks: Over 40 civilian vehicles were set ablaze between May 6 and 21 along routes toward Bamako. In Tonka, an unarmed man was reportedly executed in public, with witnesses recovering his body bearing a gunshot wound to the head.
• Military operations: Government forces are accused of killing 38 civilians, including 23 children, during operations targeting Fulani communities in central Mali. Two suspected drone strikes in Guimbé and Tené reportedly caused significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. “We heard a sound from the sky, then an explosion,” shared a Tené resident. “The damage was catastrophic—many were killed or injured.”

To compile the report, HRW conducted 34 remote interviews, analyzed satellite imagery, and reviewed videos and photographs. The organization claims it sought comment from Malian authorities but received no response. Meanwhile, the JNIM issued a statement acknowledging “human costs are inevitable in war,” while the FLA asserted it had taken precautions to “minimize civilian harm.”

International scrutiny intensifies

As Mali’s security crisis deepens, the scale of civilian suffering raises urgent questions about accountability and protection. The HRW report underscores the need for transparent investigations and adherence to international humanitarian law.