Mali Forces and Russian Africa Corps Doubled Civilian Deaths in Drone Strikes, Says HRW

Human Rights Watch released a major report on October 19, 2026, documenting a sharp escalation in civilian casualties caused by drone strikes carried out by Mali's armed forces and their Russian paramilitary partners, known as Africa Corps. According to conflict monitor ACLED, the alliance conducted 47 drone strikes from April to August 2026, resulting in 94 civilian deaths — more than double the 22 strikes and 44 civilian deaths recorded during the same period the previous year. HRW described some strikes as 'apparently indiscriminate.' Documented incidents included an August 19 strike on a cattle market in the Bandiagara region that killed six men, and a July 29 pre-dawn strike on a health centre in the Kidal region. The offensive intensified following April 25 insurgent attacks by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate, and Tuareg-led separatists, which killed Mali's defence minister and targeted Bamako's airport. Mali's military rulers, who seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, have relied heavily on Africa Corps since then. Neither Mali's military government nor the Russian embassy responded to HRW's inquiries. The report also documented soldiers killing five young girls in the Segou region on July 12, mistaking them for attackers.