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Human Rights Watch: Russian airstrike killed 8 civilians in Mali last month
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Human Rights Watch reported that a Russian government-controlled Africa Corps aircraft killed eight civilians, including three children, in an airstrikes on Kyrnia village in central Mali on June 15.
- The strikes targeted near the village chief’s home and a cattle market, with no Islamic militant group JNIM fighters among the casualties despite their presence in the village.
- Mali has faced ongoing violence from militants and separatists, with recent escalations following a major coordinated attack exposing weaknesses in Mali’s reliance on Russia for military support.
- Africa Corps, affiliated with Russia’s Defense Ministry, replaced the Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali in 2022 to assist the military junta against militants and separatists.
- Human Rights Watch urged Mali’s government to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable, warning of potential war crimes, while Russia’s Defense Ministry has not commented.
