Accusations of Civilian Executions by Wagner Troops in Mali

Accusations against Russian Wagner troops in Mali include the execution of women and children, where 24 civilians were killed in a revenge attack on a convoy following clashes with separatist rebels. The Tuareg group claims the killings were in retaliation for recent battles with government forces. While the military denies responsibility, ongoing violence in Mali raises serious human rights concerns regarding Wagner’s involvement.

Russian mercenaries in Mali have been accused of killing women and children in a revenge attack aimed at civilians following a conflict with separatist rebels. The incident occurred when Wagner Group fighters and Malian troops reportedly opened fire on a convoy of civilian vehicles, resulting in the deaths of 24 individuals in the northeastern part of Mali. This act of violence is claimed by the Azawad Liberation Front to be a reprisal after they engaged in fatal clashes with government forces over the weekend.

The Tuareg separatist group stated they lost eight fighters and allegedly killed six soldiers or mercenaries during the confrontation near Annefif in the Gao region. Following these battles, the Azawad Liberation Front accused the army and Wagner forces of deliberately targeting civilians as they traveled towards Algeria’s border, describing civilians in three vehicles being shot at. They mentioned, “Several dozens of civilians including women and children were executed and abandoned on site today.”

A relative of a civilian killed in the convoy described how their vehicle was attacked by Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers, with all passengers in the first car reportedly dying, including his cousin. While Mali’s military did not comment directly on the incident, a military source indicated that an investigation was ongoing, dismissing claims of civilian casualties by their forces.

Mali has faced ongoing violence from jihadist groups for over a decade and has been under military rule since coups in 2020 and 2021. The military leaders have sought assistance from Russia after distancing themselves from France and ordering UN peacekeepers to leave. However, the intervention of Wagner has not mitigated the country’s violence. They suffered significant losses last summer in an ambush by Tuareg rebels.

Wagner, closely tied to the Russian state, has been designated as a terror organization in the UK. Reports from Human Rights Watch have documented instances of Wagner’s forces killing civilians, forcibly disappearing others, and committing arson against homes while attempting to quell the insurgency. These violations have been exploited by jihadist groups to bolster recruitment against Wagner and the Malian military.

The recent accusations against Russian Wagner mercenaries highlight severe human rights concerns in Mali, particularly regarding their operations against civilians amid ongoing violence and insurgency. The retaliatory killings of women and children, claimed as an act of vengeance by Wagner and Malian forces, underscore the complex dynamics of military engagement in the region. The failure to effectively manage violence despite external support raises significant issues regarding the efficacy and ethics of utilizing mercenary forces in conflict zones.

Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk