In a report published on Monday, June 29, 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says all parties to Mali’s escalating conflict—including jihadist groups, separatist fighters, and state-aligned forces—have committed serious abuses following a surge in violence after the April 25 attacks.
The report highlights that on April 25, 2026, fighters from the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), linked to Al-Qaeda, and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched major attacks that resulted in the killing of Mali’s defence minister and the capture of Kidal in the north.
Following these events, the Malian army and its Russian partners from the Africa Corps intensified counterinsurgency operations, while jihadist groups imposed blockades affecting civilian populations. HRW documented significant civilian harm during this period, including an estimated 13 civilian deaths and at least 25 injuries in Gao and Kidal between April 25 and early May.
Between May 6 and May 21, JNIM reportedly burned more than 40 civilian vehicles travelling toward Bamako as part of a blockade strategy, worsening shortages of fuel and electricity across the country. The report also references public executions in the Timbuktu region and ongoing attacks on tanker trucks since September 2025, which have disrupted essential services and daily life.
HRW further alleges abuses by Russian-linked Africa Corps forces and the Malian army, including violent counterinsurgency operations against Peuhl communities in central Mali. Between May 14 and May 17, the organization recorded 38 civilian casualties, including 23 children.
Additional incidents cited include drone strikes on April 25 in Guimbé, which killed 12 children and teenagers, and a strike on May 17 in Téné during a wedding ceremony that left 10 civilians dead. The report concludes that civilians continue to bear the brunt of a multi-sided conflict marked by repeated violations and worsening humanitarian conditions.