Russia’s Africa Corps killed Mali civilians in air strike: HRW

Core Impact Points

• Russia's Africa Corps has been accused of killing eight civilians, including three children, in an air strike in central Mali.
• The attack occurred on June 15 in the village of Kyrnia, where Russian paramilitaries have been fighting alongside Malian soldiers against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL.
• Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an impartial investigation into the incident, citing concerns over the targeting of civilians and those in business with armed groups.
• The incident highlights the growing concerns over civilian casualties in the region, where armed-group violence has resulted in thousands of deaths in the last decade.
• Mali has turned to Russia for military support, expelling France, which initially supported the country, and has been criticized for its handling of the conflict.
• The US has been monitoring the situation in Mali and has expressed concerns over the growing presence of Russian paramilitaries in the region.