Human Rights Watch accuses Wagner of killing civilians in operations with Malian army

Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Russian security firm Wagner of helping the Malian army carry out raids and drone strikes since December that have killed many civilians, including children.

In a report titled “Mali: Military and Wagner Group’s Atrocities against Civilians” published by HRW, attention was drawn to Wagner’s targeting of civilians.

The report also indicates that wedding and funeral ceremonies have been targeted in attacks conducted with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Wagner targeting a wedding on Jan. 16 and a funeral on Jan. 17, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 civilians, including four children.

“Mali’s Russia-backed transitional military government is not only committing horrific abuses, but it is working to eliminate scrutiny into its human rights situation,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at HRW.

“The Malian authorities should urgently work with independent experts to monitor human rights violations and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” said Allegrozzi.

Numerous African nations are thought to be home to Russian private military contractors from the Wagner Group. Wagner trains local troops in the military, keeps leaders under tight observation, and protects energy facilities.

In May 2023, the US Treasury Department declared that it would sanction the head of the Wagner Group in Mali.