Human Rights Watch: Russian Mercenaries Led Massacre of Civilians in Mali Village Raid

In Mali, a Russian-controlled paramilitary force faces accusations that it carried out the summary execution of nine civilians, including four children, during a raid on a village in the central region of Mopti in July. According to Human Rights Watch, about 100 fighters with the Russia-backed Africa Corps, accompanied by several Malian soldiers, broke into homes, dragged people out and separated men and boys for beatings and interrogations. They reportedly killed six civilians who tried to flee, and detained and executed three others. Since 2021, Mali’s military junta has relied on Russian mercenaries in its fight against Islamist armed groups.