Russian paramilitaries in Mali kill nine, including children: HRW

What the report says

Human Rights Watch has accused Russian-controlled Africa Corps fighters of killing nine civilians in central Mali, including four children, during an operation in the Mopti region, according to Al Jazeera’s report published on August 20, 2026. The rights group said the alleged abuses took place in Bombori village around July 10 and happened in the presence of Malian soldiers. HRW also said other residents were beaten and several homes were burned.

Al Jazeera reported that the group gathered at least 80 men and boys, interrogated them about suspected links to armed groups, and then killed six people as they tried to flee, while three others were detained and later executed. One of those detainees was allegedly beheaded, according to HRW. The organization said it interviewed witnesses later in July and urged Mali’s authorities to investigate promptly and hold both Malian and Russian-linked personnel accountable.

The allegations come amid Mali’s long-running conflict, which has intensified since the 2012 rebellion and subsequent rise of Islamist and separatist armed groups. Al Jazeera noted that the military-led government has increasingly relied on Russia-backed forces after ties with Western partners deteriorated. In that broader context, Africa Corps and its predecessor Wagner have become central to Mali’s security partnership, making any accusations of civilian killings politically and legally significant.