Mali: Africa Corps strikes claim eight civilian lives in Mopti
Human Rights Watch has accused Russian-backed paramilitaries of the Africa Corps of carrying out airstrikes in central Mali that resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The incident occurred on June 15 in the village of Kyrnia, Mopti region. According to the NGO, none of the victims were affiliated with armed groups.
Civilian casualties in a Mopti village
A Human Rights Watch report released on a recent Friday details how a Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft dropped at least two explosives on Kyrnia village. The first strike hit the home of the village chief, killing his wife and three children. The second targeted a nearby livestock market, resulting in four additional deaths and multiple injuries. HRW confirmed that none of the victims were linked to any armed faction.
Africa Corps claims jihadist target
The Africa Corps, which supports Malian forces in combating jihadist groups, asserted via social media that the operation targeted a “terrorist gathering site.” While witnesses reported the presence of fighters from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) in the village at the time of the strikes, HRW found no evidence that the civilians killed were involved in combat.