Air strikes in Mali kill 89 civilians in five months, up from 44 in 2025
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on 24haubenin
Air strikes by Malian forces and their Russian ally Africa Corps killed 89 civilians between April and August 2026, compared with 44 over the same period in 2025. Human Rights Watch, drawing on ACLED data, also reports 49 air strikes, against 22 a year earlier, amid intensifying military operations.
Human Rights Watch also reports that ACLED attributed 268 civilian deaths to the Malian armed forces between April and August 2026, compared with 134 to Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin. These figures concern violence recorded during the period and do not mean that victims of air strikes can automatically be added to deaths attributed to the army, as the categories may overlap.
Human Rights Watch’s investigation documents a strike on 19 August at the Tombonkore market, where six civilians were reportedly killed and at least 20 wounded. Witnesses interviewed by the organisation described an attack on residents, while the Malian army said it had targeted a terrorist target. HRW’s investigation into deadly drone strikes had already denounced civilian casualties linked to Malian military operations.
These new figures follow accusations made by Human Rights Watch against the Malian army on 19 October, in an investigation into drone strikes that was previously reported.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
