Soldiers and mercenaries killed at least 34 civilians in Mali, Amnesty report says

Amnesty: Mali Army and Wagner Mercenaries Killed 34 Civilians, Committed War Crimes

Amnesty International Report Details Civilian Deaths and Alleged War Crimes in Mali

DAKAR, Sept 29 (Reuters) - At least 34 civilians were killed in seven incidents during military joint operations in Mali by the army and Russia's Wagner mercenary group between June 2023 and December 2025, Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday.

Documented Incidents and Victim Profiles

• The human rights organization documented the deaths of 34 people, who it said were not participating in hostilities, in incidents across Mali's Segou, Mopti and Timbuktu regions along the Mauritanian border.

• It said the victims were mostly members of pastoralist communities who were attacked based on their ethnicity and their presence in areas where jihadist groups were active.

Government Response and Denials

• Mali's military-led government, which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021, has denied killing civilians in its fight against jihadists. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Moscow.

Details of the Attacks

• "These murders were deliberate: the victims were shot, had their throats cut, or were burned alive," Amnesty's report said, adding that acts described in the report amounted to war crimes.

Torture and Civilian Property Destruction

• Those interviewed for the report told Amnesty they were tortured mostly by Wagner members during patrols or during their detention at military bases. Others described civilians being hit in drone strikes and the destruction of civilian property.

• "In their minds, all herders are terrorists, and as a result they do not hesitate to burn people and property," a herder who has taken refuge in Mauritania told Amnesty.

Aftermath and Ongoing Presence

• The Wagner mercenary group left Mali in 2025. But the Africa Corps, which is made up of many former Wagner fighters, still operates there.

• Amnesty said it shared the report's findings with the Malian authorities on August 3 but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet, Alexandra Hudson)