Key facts
- The UN human rights office called for an investigation into the alleged torture and killing of Malian soldiers.
The UN human rights office is calling for an investigation into reports of torture and killing of surrendering Malian soldiers by insurgents in northern Mali, stating such actions would constitute a war crime. The incident occurred during an ambush on a military convoy.
The alleged war crimes, if confirmed, highlight severe human rights abuses and escalating conflict in Mali, threatening the stability of the military-led government and regional security.
The United Nations human rights office has called for a thorough and independent investigation into reports of the torture and killing of surrendering Malian soldiers during an ambush in northern Mali. The office stated that such actions would constitute a war crime.
The ambush occurred on Saturday in northern Mali between the towns of Anefis and Gao. Statements from Mali's armed forces, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), and the al Qaeda-linked group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) confirmed the incident. A source close to the FLA reported that over 50 pro-government fighters were killed, though Reuters could not independently verify this figure.
JNIM has released footage online that appears to show soldiers surrendering with their hands behind their heads, followed by rebels firing at some of the captives. Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of this footage.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that a comprehensive investigation is needed, particularly concerning the footage showing FLA/JNIM members firing at soldiers after their surrender. He added that the office deplores the reported torture and killing of dozens of surrendering Malian soldiers.
JNIM could not be reached for comment. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the FLA, expressed support for independent investigations into all human rights abuses in the region and emphasized the need for the UN-described footage to be authenticated first.
This incident follows nationwide attacks by JNIM and the FLA in April, which resulted in the death of the defense minister and forced the army to abandon several locations. The groups also attempted to seize Anefis on July 4, but the army maintained control of the town.
The increasing violence poses a significant challenge to Mali's military-led government, which came to power through coups in 2020 and 2021 and had pledged to enhance security in the landlocked Sahel country.