Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday condemned a deadly airstrike by the Russia’s-Africa Corps in central Mali, saying the strike appeared to be an arbitrary attack that may have violated international humanitarian law.

The Russian government-controlled Africa Corps launched the airstrike that killed eight civilians, including three children, on June 15. The strike hit the Kyrnia village in Mali’s Mopti region, an area controlled for about six years by al-Qaeda-linked armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). Although Africa Corps later claimed it had targeted a gathering of terrorist fighters, HRW said it found no evidence that JNIM fighters were among those killed.

The rights group based its findings on interviews with eye-witnesses, Malian military sources, local journalists, and community leaders, as well as satellite imagery, photographs, and a video released by Africa Corps. The organization said its analysis of the footage confirmed the strike took place in Kyrnia and identified Africa Corps as responsible for the attack. HRW also sent its findings to Russia’s defence minister on July 22 but said it received no response.

Under international humanitarian law, parties to an armed conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants, direct attacks only at specific military objectives, ensure expected civilian harm is not excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage, and take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian casualties. HRW said the available evidence indicates these obligations were not met.

On June 23, Africa Corps announced it had carried out a successful strike against what it described as a “gathering place of terrorist groups” in the Mopti region, claiming several JNIM commanders had been killed. HRW disputed that account and claimed they could not find evidence that any militants were among the fatalities.

The village chief, who was killed in the strike, was reportedly a wealthy trader whose market supplied food and fuel that were also purchased by JNIM. HRW said there was no evidence he was a member of the armed group.

The organization called on Mali’s military government to investigate the attack, hold those responsible accountable, and refrain from excusing violations committed by Russian forces operating alongside Malian troops.

The strike comes as Russia expands its military role in Mali through the Africa Corps, the Russian Ministry of Defense-controlled successor to the private Wagner Group. Russian officials say the Africa Corps is working closely with Mali’s armed forces by supporting combat operations, maintaining territorial control, and providing military logistics, including fuel, food, and transportation.

Mali has faced a jihadist insurgency since 2012. After military coups in 2020 and 2021 brought Colonel Assimi Goïta to power, the military government expelled French and United Nations forces and expanded security ties with Russia, initially relying on Wagner before its integration into Africa Corps following the 2023 death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The allegations also emerge amid growing concerns over accountability in the Sahel. On June 24, nine days after the Kyrnia strike and one day after Africa Corps publicly claimed responsibility for the operation, Mali formally notified the International Criminal Court (ICC) of its withdrawal. HRW warned the move could further weaken accountability for alleged abuses committed by state forces and their allies during counterinsurgency operations.