Mali's army and its Russian allies killed civilians, Human Rights Watch says

In a report released Monday, the rights group says Mali's military and the Russia-controlled Africa Corps killed and wounded scores of civilians in attacks and in custody.

Market drone strike, Bandiagara, Aug 19

6 civilians killed

A Malian military drone strike on Aug 19 hit a market in the central Bandiagara region, killing six civilians and wounding at least 20, according to the report.

Armed groups broke the laws of war too: JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front tortured and executed at least 19 captured soldiers in the Gao region on Jul 18, the group says. Both deny ordering or carrying out executions.

Air strikes by Malian forces and Africa Corps killed 89 civilians from April to August, double the 44 deaths in the same months last year, according to conflict data cited in the report.