Civilian atrocities surge in Mali as militant factions and army clash

Bamako — A wave of violence has engulfed Mali in recent weeks, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) accusing multiple armed groups of inflicting severe harm on civilians. The escalation follows coordinated offensives in late April that triggered a brutal cycle of reprisals and counterattacks.

Jihadist factions and armed groups implicated in widespread civilian harm

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), its allies in the Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA), the Malian Armed Forces, and the Russian-backed Africa Corps stand accused of violating international humanitarian law. HRW’s latest report documents systematic attacks on non-combatants, including executions, indiscriminate shelling, and destruction of homes and businesses.

The violence erupted after the JNIM and FLA launched coordinated strikes on military positions in April, sparking retaliatory operations. In the cities of Gao and Kidal, at least 13 civilians have been killed and 25 injured since the fighting intensified. A 38-year-old resident of Kidal, wounded in the clashes, described chaotic gunfire from all directions that left him with injuries to his shoulder and thigh.

JNIM accused of targeted civilian executions and property destruction

HRW’s investigation reveals that between May 6 and 21, JNIM militants torched over 40 civilian vehicles on roads leading to Bamako. In Tonka, the group is alleged to have publicly executed a man, with witnesses reporting a gunshot wound to the head. “We recovered his body,” one local stated. “The brutality was deliberate.”

The report also implicates the Malian Armed Forces in the killing of 38 civilians, including 23 children, during counterterrorism operations targeting Fulani communities in central Mali. Two suspected drone strikes in Guimbé and Tené reportedly caused extensive damage and casualties. A resident of Tené recounted: “We heard a noise from the sky, then an explosion. The destruction was catastrophic.”

Investigative findings and conflicting responses

HRW compiled its findings through 34 remote interviews, satellite imagery, video footage, and photographs. The organization sought comment from Malian authorities but received no response. The JNIM defended its actions, stating, “No war can be waged without human cost.” Meanwhile, the FLA asserted it had taken precautions to prevent civilian casualties, though local testimonies suggest otherwise.

The surge in civilian casualties underscores the urgent need for accountability and international oversight to protect vulnerable populations in conflict zones.