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Russian Airstrike Kills Civilians in Mali, Rights Group Says
Confirmed
In Short: Human Rights Watch reported that Russian-controlled Africa Corps aircraft killed eight civilians, including three children, in an airstrike on a village in Mali's Mopti region on June 15.
Human Rights Watch reported that Russian-controlled Africa Corps aircraft killed eight civilians, including three children, in an airstrike on a village in Mali's Mopti region on June 15, according to AP News and Africanews.
The rights group identified the attack aircraft as a Russian Sukhoi Su-24, which dropped two munitions on Kyrnia village, as per the group's analysis of satellite imagery and a video posted by Africa Corps.
No fighters from the Islamic militant group JNIM, which has controlled the village for six years, were reported among the casualties, according to Human Rights Watch.
The group called on Mali’s government to investigate the strike and hold those responsible accountable, warning that the government could otherwise be complicit in war crimes.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior HRW Sahel researcher, stated that the Malian government should be aware of its accountability for allied forces' atrocities, given the support it provides to Russia in the fight against insurgents.
What's confirmed
- The rights group said an attack aircraft identified as a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 dropped two munitions on Kyrnia village in the Mopti region on June 15.
What's still developing
- In this Tuesday, April 12, 2016 photo provided by the U.S. Navy, two Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft fly near USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy via AP, file) DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Human Rights Watch…
- No fighters from the Islamic militant group JNIM, which has controlled the village for six years, were reported among the casualties.
- Human Rights Watch said it interviewed 19 people, analyzed satellite imagery, and reviewed a video the Africa Corps posted online describing the strike last month as targeting a “terrorist” gathering.
- The rights group called on Mali’s government to investigate the strike and hold those responsible accountable, saying it could otherwise be complicit in war crimes.
- Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps, which is supporting Mali in its fight against insurgents, killed eight civilians, including three children, in June airstrikes, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report Friday.
- According to the NGO, no fighters from armed jihadist groups were among the victims.
- "By handing the Russian authorities a blank check, the Malian government should be aware that it too is accountable for allied forces' atrocities," Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior HRW Sahel researcher, said in the statement.