Malian Army Kills 731 Civilians with Drones

Mali's territory is extremely vast, with difficult road access, especially in the north, which is a harsh desert region where jihadist armed groups thrive. Under conditions where ground movement is restricted, aerial weapons have enabled rapid response.

Around 2023, drones emerged as a central weapon for the Malian army and Russian mercenaries (Wagner), and later the African Corps.

Since 2023, drone usage has rapidly accelerated. Approximately 159 drone airstrikes are recorded per quarter.

The Malian army primarily purchased large quantities of Turkish TB2 and Akin drones. These drones cover extensive territory and enable multiple strikes.

Drones are called 'precise and surgical' weapons. However, the actual way they are used is unclear and inadequate.

The result of this new form of warfare is massive civilian casualties.

A detailed scale of damage has been revealed through an investigation based on the ACLED conflict research organization's database. Approximately 731 civilians were killed in 199 drone strikes recorded from September 2023 to September 2026.

This is a much larger scale than in the past. Jeune Afrique journalists directly collected material evidence, including satellite imagery, geolocation, and resident testimonies, to verify 60 of these strikes.

Thirteen people were killed in the strike, including several children.

Journalists cross-referenced local testimonies, videos of debris, and drone footage to confirm the strike. In particular, drone footage was broadcast on Malian state television (ORTM) evening news, publicly revealing the strike through official channels.

There were local resident testimonies, videos of debris were obtained, and compared with drone footage for verification. The drone strike videos, broadcast on Malian state television, revealed that strikes actually occurred in that village and caused civilian casualties.

Malian state television ORTM's 8 PM news broadcasts drone strikes almost daily. This is equivalent to the military junta publicly acknowledging aerial strikes and their consequences.

Drones are weapons that technically enable tactical victories against jihadist armed groups. It is argued that they have practical effects from a military perspective.

At the same time, drones also serve as a tool for Malian authorities to proclaim victory in information warfare and publicize their military strengthening. Broadcasting daily aerial strike videos reflects this dual purpose.

The Malian government officially claims to conduct only aerial electronic monitoring targeting terrorist groups. Air force officers justify this in conversations with journalists, stating it's for intelligence purposes and ensures accuracy.

However, conversations with military officers or insiders unofficially reveal a different situation. They are fully aware of collateral damage and numerous civilian deaths. The government makes no official statements regarding these civilian deaths.

The Jeune Afrique investigation began amidst the government's silence on civilian casualties.

The investigation team aimed to assign specific statistics, names, and places to civilian victims. The goal was to individualize and verify deaths that were merely abstract figures.

However, this information does not always enable accurate strikes.

As a result, ordinary people transporting fuel can be considered supporters of armed groups or jihadist forces. Civilians are classified as supporters of terrorist forces merely by being in areas controlled by armed groups.

The same applies to civilian locations like markets or water supply points. When distinction is impossible where civilians and armed groups are mixed, the two groups are very quickly treated as 'the same thing.'

Air force officers promise significant verification based on human intelligence and local sources before a strike. The problem is that the exact nature of this verification is unknown. There is no transparency in rules of engagement or accountability systems.

Complicating Mali's situation further is the presence of external actors. Turkish military advisors work alongside the Malian army, and Russian mercenaries can also issue commands or relay information leading to airstrikes.

Ultimately, it becomes unclear who orders the button to be pressed. Generally, it is Malian, but this means it can be entirely inspired and supported by Turkish or Russian will.

A man, pseudonym 'Mohamed,' lost his nephews and granddaughter in the Amas Rakad airstrike. His daughter provided videos to journalists, helping identify them.

After that airstrike, this man made a decision. He joined an armed group called the Front de libération de la Zawad (FLA), advocating for autonomy in northern Mali. The FLA is a Tuareg rebel group that recently allied with Genim.

This is the cycle of violence. Civilian casualties lead to anger, and anger leads to joining armed groups. The damage caused by drone bombings paradoxically strengthens that hostility.