
Malian civil society groups and residents of northern Mali are accusing the country’s military and Russian mercenaries of killing dozens of civilians during a military operation last month.
The alleged killings took place between June 20th and 29th in the Abeibara area of the Kidal region, a former stronghold of a Tuareg rebellion.
Hamadine Driss Ag Mohamed, son of the village chief, claims Malian soldiers and fighters from the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit, executed 46 civilians, including elderly men and shepherds.
The Malian military denies the accusations, stating they have no knowledge of the killings. However, they acknowledge ongoing military operations throughout the country.
This comes amidst a surge in violence following the ruling junta’s dismissal of a 2015 peace agreement with Tuareg rebel groups.
The Kidal region has become a hotspot for violence since the junta’s rise to power in 2020. The region’s history is marked by a Tuareg uprising, with some militants previously linked to al-Qaida.
The Malian government’s break with the peace agreement and subsequent attack on Kidal in 2023 has exacerbated tensions and placed civilians at greater risk.
The Malian government’s break with the peace agreement and subsequent attack on Kidal in 2023 has exacerbated tensions and placed civilians at greater risk.
Citizen’s Observatory for Monitoring and Defending the Human Rights of the Azawad People (Kal akal) accuses the Malian army and Wagner Group of conducting “a vast campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
The group claims at least 60 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves. They are demanding a full investigation into the alleged atrocities.
The recent allegations follow the withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping force in December 2023, which the junta deemed ineffective. With the peace agreement shattered and violence escalating, the future for stability in northern Mali remains uncertain.