Rights group says Mali army, foreign fighters executed civilians

Three Russian mercenaries are seen in northern Mali [File: Handout provided by French Army via AP Photo]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Malian armed forces and “foreign” fighters believed to be from the Russian mercenary Wagner Group of “executing” dozens of civilians during operations.

HRW said on Monday that the abuses had been committed since late 2022, “during military operations in response to the presence of Islamist armed groups” in several towns in central Mali.