Human Rights Watch accuses Russia-linked Africa Corps of killing nine civilians in Mali

Human Rights Watch released a statement accusing the Russian-run Africa Corps of summarily executing nine civilians, among them four children, in the central Mali village of Bombori. According to the report, the massacre occurred in the presence of Malian soldiers early last month, following a previous air strike that also killed civilians. Over 100 Africa Corps fighters allegedly rounded up at least 80 men and boys, beat them while questioning alleged links to armed groups, and shot six as they fled; three were detained and later killed, with one victim said to have been beheaded.

The organization further alleges that dozens of villagers were beaten and that at least eight houses were burned. HRW interviewed witnesses between July 19 and 30 and blames the Malian military government for permitting the paramilitaries to act with impunity. The incident highlights the deepening reliance of Mali’s junta on Russian forces, who receive cash and mineral concessions in exchange for security assistance amid a protracted civil war involving al-Qaeda and ISIL affiliates.