| Revision as of 09:57, 1 June 2022 editTaeguk (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users11,854 editsmNo edit summaryTag: Reverted← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:43, 21 June 2022 edit undoDunutubble (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users16,685 edits Restored revision 1086657235 by Dunutubble (talk): Rc removal of sourced content. HRW, Reuters, Guardian etc. all called it a siege and I don't see why edits that had nothing to do with the siege terminology were reverted on those groundsTags: Twinkle Undo RevertedNext edit → | ||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | ||
| {{Infobox military conflict | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
| | conflict = |
| conflict = Siege of Moura | ||
| | place = ], ] | | place = ], ] | ||
| | partof = the ] | | partof = the ] | ||
| | combatant1 = {{armed forces|Mali}}<br |
| combatant1 = {{armed forces|Mali}}<br>] (alleged) | ||
| | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} ] | | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} ] | ||
| | coordinates = {{coord|14|19|40|N|4|36|0|W|region:ML_type:city|display=inline,title}} | | coordinates = {{coord|14|19|40|N|4|36|0|W|region:ML_type:city|display=inline,title}} | ||
| | map_type = Mali | | map_type = Mali | ||
| | map_relief = 1 | | map_relief = 1 | ||
| | casualties3 = 300 civilians killed (per Human Rights Watch)<br |
| casualties3 = 300 civilians killed (per Human Rights Watch)<br>500 (other reports)<ref name=":6" /> | ||
| | strength1 = {{flagg|xxc|Wagner Group|nodata=1}}: |
| strength1 = {{flagg|xxc|Wagner Group|nodata=1}}: ~100 | ||
| | strength2 = At least 30 | | strength2 = At least 30 | ||
| | date = |
| date = {{start date|2022|03|27|df=yes}} {{ndash}} {{end date|2022|03|31|df=yes}} | ||
| | casualties1 = {{flagg|xxc|Wagner Group|nodata=1}}: 2+ | | casualties1 = {{flagg|xxc|Wagner Group|nodata=1}}: 2+ | ||
| | casualties2 = '''Per Mali:'''<br |
| casualties2 = '''Per Mali:'''<br/> 203 killed <br/> 51 captured | ||
| | result = Malian victory | | result = Malian victory | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Campaignbox Mali War|state=collapsed}} | {{Campaignbox Mali War|state=collapsed}} | ||
| From 27 to 31 March 2022, the ], reportedly collaborating with the Russian mercenary company ], set ] to the central Malian town of ], ] during a nine-day operation against jihadists. Malian forces attracted international outcry after human rights groups, including ] accused Mali and the Wagner Group of committing a ] against civilians.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/04/russian-mercenaries-wagner-group-linked-to-civilian-massacres-in-mali |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> | |||
| == Background == | == Background == | ||
| {{Main|Mali War}} | {{Main|Mali War}} | ||
| Since January 2012, Mali has been embroiled in a ] between Islamist insurgents and the ]. ] joined the conflict the next year, but announced after the ] their intention to gradually reduce the number of French forces and withdraw them from the country. Mali has since looked for other ways to acquire foreign help, and has reportedly received help from a Russian ] called the ], which Malian and Russian forces both insisted were there to serve as ] |
Since January 2012, Mali has been embroiled in a ] between Islamist insurgents and the ]. ] joined the conflict the next year, but announced after the ] their intention to gradually reduce the number of French forces and withdraw them from the country. Mali has since looked for other ways to acquire foreign help, and has reportedly received help from a Russian ] called the ], which Malian and Russian forces both insisted were there to serve as ] only.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |title=Malian army and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre {{!}} DW {{!}} 6 April 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/mali-army-russian-fighters-accussed-of-massacre/a-61377799 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=DW.COM |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=6 April 2022 |title=Mali says it has opened investigation into alleged massacre in village of Moura |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20220406-mali-opens-investigation-into-alleged-massacre-in-village-of-moura |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> ] documented at least 71 individual cases of civilians ] by security forces from December 2021 to March 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reuters |date=2 April 2022 |title=Mali says military operation in Moura area kills 200 militants |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-says-military-operation-moura-area-kills-200-militants-2022-04-02/ |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> Islamist activities have also raised concerns, with ] journalist Wassim Nasr suggesting the massacre was in part a retaliation for repeated attacks on the village of ] by members of the Islamist ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=7 April 2022 |title=Mali opens investigation into alleged massacre in Moura village |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220407-mali-opens-investigation-into-alleged-massacre-in-moura-village |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| The town of ] in particular has been likened to having been under the "quasi-control" of jihadists, particularly ] |
The town of ] in particular has been likened to having been under the "quasi-control" of jihadists, particularly ], which is part of ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/04/russian-mercenaries-wagner-group-linked-to-civilian-massacres-in-mali |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> and has enforced ] on villagers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 2022 |title=Mali troops and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60997602 |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> In 2022 ], AQIM's ] leader, was spotted in the city.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
| == |
== Siege == | ||
| The operation began on 27 March when government forces entered the town of Moura.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali Says 203 Killed in Military Operation in Sahel State |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/mali-says-203-killed-in-military-operation-in-sahel-state/6512181.html |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=VOA |language=en}}</ref> Military helicopters landed near the town's market, the soldiers stepped out and approached a group of around 30 jihadists, who fired at them, killing at least two white soldiers (most likely from the Wagner Group) and an unknown amount of government ones.<ref name=":HRWinitial">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Mali: Massacre by Army, Foreign Soldiers |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/05/mali-massacre-army-foreign-soldiers |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Russian mercenaries and Mali army accused of killing 300 civilians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/russian-mercenaries-and-mali-army-accused-of-killing-300-civilians |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Malian forces fired back, killing several people. Several civilians saw the scene unfold and tried to flee, but were followed by a helicopter that seemed to be deliberately firing at running civilians.<ref name=":HRWinitial"/> | The operation began on 27 March when government forces entered the town of Moura.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali Says 203 Killed in Military Operation in Sahel State |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/mali-says-203-killed-in-military-operation-in-sahel-state/6512181.html |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=VOA |language=en}}</ref> Military helicopters landed near the town's market, the soldiers stepped out and approached a group of around 30 jihadists, who fired at them, killing at least two white soldiers (most likely from the Wagner Group) and an unknown amount of government ones.<ref name=":HRWinitial">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Mali: Massacre by Army, Foreign Soldiers |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/05/mali-massacre-army-foreign-soldiers |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Russian mercenaries and Mali army accused of killing 300 civilians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/russian-mercenaries-and-mali-army-accused-of-killing-300-civilians |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Malian forces fired back, killing several people. Several civilians saw the scene unfold and tried to flee, but were followed by a helicopter that seemed to be deliberately firing at running civilians.<ref name=":HRWinitial"/> | ||
| According to testimonies, Malian and white soldiers proceeded by deploying themselves across the town, blocking off exits and killing anybody who tried to escape.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Security forces detained and interrogated hundreds of civilian men, often confiscating their belongings, including their telephones. Men who refused to be rounded up were shot on the spot by white mercenaries.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> The detainees were then sent to the ] where they were rounded up into groups of 4, 6, or 10 and then executed ''en masse''.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Survivors told Reuters that members of the ] and ] groups were forced to dig mass graves.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Lorgerie |first=Paul |date=2022-04-14 |title=Mali massacre survivors say white mercenaries involved in killings |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-massacre-survivors-say-white-mercenaries-involved-killings-2022-04-14/ |access-date=2022-04-14}}</ref> | According to testimonies, Malian and white soldiers proceeded by deploying themselves across the town, blocking off exits and killing anybody who tried to escape.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Security forces detained and interrogated hundreds of civilian men, often confiscating their belongings, including their telephones. Men who refused to be rounded up were shot on the spot by white mercenaries.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> The detainees were then sent to the ] where they were rounded up into groups of 4, 6, or 10 and then executed ''en masse''.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Survivors told Reuters that members of the ] and ] groups were forced to dig mass graves.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Lorgerie |first=Paul |date=2022-04-14 |title=Mali massacre survivors say white mercenaries involved in killings |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-massacre-survivors-say-white-mercenaries-involved-killings-2022-04-14/ |access-date=2022-04-14}}</ref> | ||
| Witnesses disagreed on the reasons why the men were singled out for execution, with some asserting that men wearing beards and traditional Islamic clothing were more likely to be targeted due to their similar appearances to ] |
Witnesses disagreed on the reasons why the men were singled out for execution, with some asserting that men wearing beards and traditional Islamic clothing were more likely to be targeted due to their similar appearances to ]. Others told Human Rights Watch that the people who had been executed were targeted due to their ethnic ] background.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> | ||
| The operation came to an end on 31 March. A witness told Human Rights Watch he had overheard a government officer tell someone over his ] to "Stop killing people, let them go," and the killings stopped.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> At least three residents said that the military gave a speech afterwards in which they apologized for the massacre.<ref name=":5" /> | The operation came to an end on 31 March. A witness told Human Rights Watch he had overheard a government officer tell someone over his ] to "Stop killing people, let them go," and the killings stopped.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> At least three residents said that the military gave a speech afterwards in which they apologized for the massacre.<ref name=":5" /> | ||
| According to reports, around 100 white soldiers who spoke a language other than ] participated in the siege. Villagers believed they were Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group as they had heard stories about their involvement in the conflict earlier in the year.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Many of these mercenaries were accused of being responsible for ] |
According to reports, around 100 white soldiers who spoke a language other than ] participated in the siege. Villagers believed they were Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group as they had heard stories about their involvement in the conflict earlier in the year.<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> Many of these mercenaries were accused of being responsible for ], ] and mass executions of civilians.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=5 April 2022 |title=Malian, foreign soldiers allegedly killed hundreds in town siege -rights group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-security-idAFKCN2LX0WC |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> | ||
| == Aftermath == | == Aftermath == | ||
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
| Social media posts purporting that a ] had taken place in the city spread rapidly in the country, sparking a controversy.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> On 5 April, ] issued a major report detailing the siege, which stated that over 300 civilians had been killed by Malian forces in what it termed the "worst single atrocity" in the history of the ].{{Efn|This estimate is built on the conclusions of town elders. A survivor who was forced to dig ]s counted at least 241 casualties.<ref name=":HRWinitial" />}}<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> | Social media posts purporting that a ] had taken place in the city spread rapidly in the country, sparking a controversy.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> On 5 April, ] issued a major report detailing the siege, which stated that over 300 civilians had been killed by Malian forces in what it termed the "worst single atrocity" in the history of the ].{{Efn|This estimate is built on the conclusions of town elders. A survivor who was forced to dig ]s counted at least 241 casualties.<ref name=":HRWinitial" />}}<ref name=":HRWinitial" /> | ||
| The report raised international attention, and the massacre received condemnations from the German ],<ref name=":2" /> ],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=UN demands urgent access to site of alleged Mali massacre in Moura |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220408-un-demands-urgent-access-to-site-of-alleged-mali-massacre-in-moura |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref> the ] (CIVIC),<ref>{{Cite web |title=CIVIC Condemns Alleged Killing of Civilians in Moura, Encourages Transparent Investigation - Mali |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mali/civic-condemns-alleged-killing-civilians-moura-encourages-transparent-investigation |access-date=11 April 2022 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en}}</ref> European Union official ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peltier |first=Elian |date=4 April 2022 |title=Western Officials Condemn Reports of 'Massacre' by Military in Central Mali |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/04/world/africa/killing-moura-mali.html |access-date=10 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Global Affairs |date=5 April 2022 |title=Statement on violence in Moura, Mali |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/04/statement-on-violence-in-moura-mali.html |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reported Massacre in Mali |url=https://www.state.gov/reported-massacre-in-mali/ |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref> | The report raised international attention, and the massacre received condemnations from the German ],<ref name=":2" /> ],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=UN demands urgent access to site of alleged Mali massacre in Moura |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20220408-un-demands-urgent-access-to-site-of-alleged-mali-massacre-in-moura |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref> the ] (CIVIC),<ref>{{Cite web |title=CIVIC Condemns Alleged Killing of Civilians in Moura, Encourages Transparent Investigation - Mali |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/mali/civic-condemns-alleged-killing-civilians-moura-encourages-transparent-investigation |access-date=11 April 2022 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en}}</ref> European Union official ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peltier |first=Elian |date=4 April 2022 |title=Western Officials Condemn Reports of 'Massacre' by Military in Central Mali |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/04/world/africa/killing-moura-mali.html |access-date=10 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Global Affairs |date=5 April 2022 |title=Statement on violence in Moura, Mali |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/04/statement-on-violence-in-moura-mali.html |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reported Massacre in Mali |url=https://www.state.gov/reported-massacre-in-mali/ |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| ] official ] requested for an investigation into the incident on 6 April.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali: UN expert urges probe into grave rights violations in Moura |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/04/mali-un-expert-urges-probe-grave-rights-violations-moura}}</ref> The Malian government opened an inquiry the next day, which was congratulated by representatives of the ].<ref name=":4" /> On 20 April the United Nations expressed worries that Mali was not letting investigators enter Moura.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Reuters |date=2022-04-20 |title=U.N. says investigators prevented access to site of Mali killings |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-says-its-investigators-not-allowed-access-site-mali-killings-2022-04-20/ |access-date=2022-04-20}}</ref> | ] official ] requested for an investigation into the incident on 6 April.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali: UN expert urges probe into grave rights violations in Moura |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/04/mali-un-expert-urges-probe-grave-rights-violations-moura}}</ref> The Malian government opened an inquiry the next day, which was congratulated by representatives of the ].<ref name=":4" /> On 20 April the United Nations expressed worries that Mali was not letting investigators enter Moura.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Reuters |date=2022-04-20 |title=U.N. says investigators prevented access to site of Mali killings |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-says-its-investigators-not-allowed-access-site-mali-killings-2022-04-20/ |access-date=2022-04-20}}</ref> | ||
| Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
| On 8 April the ] congratulated Mali's actions, describing reports of a massacre as "]."<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=Moscow hails Mali 'victory' after Moura operation |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/04/08/Moscow-hails-Mali-victory-after-Moura-operation |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref> That day, France drafted a proposal at the ] to investigate alleged atrocities during the battle, which was rejected by Russia and ] on the grounds that it was premature to open an inquiry until Malian forces had announced one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=10 April 2022 |title=Mali: Russia blocks UN security council request for investigation into Moura massacre |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/10/mali-russia-blocks-un-security-council-request-for-investigation-into-moura-massacre/ |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref> | On 8 April the ] congratulated Mali's actions, describing reports of a massacre as "]."<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2022 |title=Moscow hails Mali 'victory' after Moura operation |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/04/08/Moscow-hails-Mali-victory-after-Moura-operation |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref> That day, France drafted a proposal at the ] to investigate alleged atrocities during the battle, which was rejected by Russia and ] on the grounds that it was premature to open an inquiry until Malian forces had announced one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=10 April 2022 |title=Mali: Russia blocks UN security council request for investigation into Moura massacre |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/04/10/mali-russia-blocks-un-security-council-request-for-investigation-into-moura-massacre/ |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| In late April ], or GSIM, said it had captured a Wagner Group fighter. GSIM condemned the massacre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/04/russian-mercenaries-wagner-group-linked-to-civilian-massacres-in-mali |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 70: | Line 72: | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Mourrah, siege of}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Mourrah, siege of}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 13:43, 21 June 2022
2022 siege and killing of civilians in Mali
| Siege of Moura | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Mali War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mali Armed ForcesWagner Group (alleged) |
 Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Wagner Group: ~100 | At least 30 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Wagner Group: 2+ |
Per Mali: 203 killed 51 captured | ||||||
|
300 civilians killed (per Human Rights Watch) 500 (other reports) | |||||||
  class=notpageimage| Location within Mali | |||||||
From 27 to 31 March 2022, the Malian Armed Forces, reportedly collaborating with the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group, set siege to the central Malian town of Moura, Mopti Region during a nine-day operation against jihadists. Malian forces attracted international outcry after human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch accused Mali and the Wagner Group of committing a massacre against civilians.
Background
Main article: Mali WarSince January 2012, Mali has been embroiled in a civil war between Islamist insurgents and the Malian government. France joined the conflict the next year, but announced after the 2020 Malian coup d'état their intention to gradually reduce the number of French forces and withdraw them from the country. Mali has since looked for other ways to acquire foreign help, and has reportedly received help from a Russian private military company called the Wagner Group, which Malian and Russian forces both insisted were there to serve as military advisors only. Human Rights Watch documented at least 71 individual cases of civilians summarily executed by security forces from December 2021 to March 2022. Islamist activities have also raised concerns, with France24 journalist Wassim Nasr suggesting the massacre was in part a retaliation for repeated attacks on the village of Dogofry, Ségou by members of the Islamist Macina Liberation Front.
The town of Moura in particular has been likened to having been under the "quasi-control" of jihadists, particularly Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, which is part of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and has enforced sharia law on villagers. In 2022 Muhammed Kufa, AQIM's second-in-command leader, was spotted in the city.
Siege
The operation began on 27 March when government forces entered the town of Moura. Military helicopters landed near the town's market, the soldiers stepped out and approached a group of around 30 jihadists, who fired at them, killing at least two white soldiers (most likely from the Wagner Group) and an unknown amount of government ones. Malian forces fired back, killing several people. Several civilians saw the scene unfold and tried to flee, but were followed by a helicopter that seemed to be deliberately firing at running civilians.
According to testimonies, Malian and white soldiers proceeded by deploying themselves across the town, blocking off exits and killing anybody who tried to escape. Security forces detained and interrogated hundreds of civilian men, often confiscating their belongings, including their telephones. Men who refused to be rounded up were shot on the spot by white mercenaries. The detainees were then sent to the river bank where they were rounded up into groups of 4, 6, or 10 and then executed en masse. Survivors told Reuters that members of the Bobo and Bellah groups were forced to dig mass graves.
Witnesses disagreed on the reasons why the men were singled out for execution, with some asserting that men wearing beards and traditional Islamic clothing were more likely to be targeted due to their similar appearances to Islamists. Others told Human Rights Watch that the people who had been executed were targeted due to their ethnic Fulani background.
The operation came to an end on 31 March. A witness told Human Rights Watch he had overheard a government officer tell someone over his walkie-talkie to "Stop killing people, let them go," and the killings stopped. At least three residents said that the military gave a speech afterwards in which they apologized for the massacre.
According to reports, around 100 white soldiers who spoke a language other than French participated in the siege. Villagers believed they were Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group as they had heard stories about their involvement in the conflict earlier in the year. Many of these mercenaries were accused of being responsible for interrogations, torture and mass executions of civilians.
Aftermath
On 1 April, the Malian government announced it had finished a nine-day military operation centred around Moura region and that over 203 terrorists had been killed.
Social media posts purporting that a massacre had taken place in the city spread rapidly in the country, sparking a controversy. On 5 April, Human Rights Watch issued a major report detailing the siege, which stated that over 300 civilians had been killed by Malian forces in what it termed the "worst single atrocity" in the history of the Mali War.
The report raised international attention, and the massacre received condemnations from the German Federal Foreign Office, France, the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), European Union official Josep Borrell, Global Affairs Canada, and the United States Department of State.
United Nations official Alioune Tine requested for an investigation into the incident on 6 April. The Malian government opened an inquiry the next day, which was congratulated by representatives of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. On 20 April the United Nations expressed worries that Mali was not letting investigators enter Moura.
German Federal Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht told reporters on 9 April she held growing doubts about her country's participation in the conflict as "the question then arises of whether this can be compatible with our values, especially if we then have to witness atrocities like in Moura." Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock voiced similar concerns.
On 8 April the Russian Foreign Ministry congratulated Mali's actions, describing reports of a massacre as "disinformation." That day, France drafted a proposal at the United Nations Security Council to investigate alleged atrocities during the battle, which was rejected by Russia and China on the grounds that it was premature to open an inquiry until Malian forces had announced one.
In late April Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, or GSIM, said it had captured a Wagner Group fighter. GSIM condemned the massacre.
See also
- Aïgbado massacre, an attack in the Central African Republic in the same year that also allegedly involved the Wagner Group
Notes
- For the official tweet, see
Avatar of Forces Armées Maliennes Forces Armées Maliennes @FAMa_DIRPA 
French: MMUNIQUE N°026 DE L'ETAT-MAJOR GENERAL DES ARMEES DU 01 AVRIL 2022
2 April 2022 - This estimate is built on the conclusions of town elders. A survivor who was forced to dig mass graves counted at least 241 casualties.
.svg)
References
- ^ Reuters (20 April 2022). "U.N. says investigators prevented access to site of Mali killings". Reuters. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Russian mercenaries and Mali army accused of killing 300 civilians". the Guardian. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- "Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali". the Guardian. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Malian army and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre | DW | 6 April 2022". DW.COM. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Mali says it has opened investigation into alleged massacre in village of Moura". France 24. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- Reuters (2 April 2022). "Mali says military operation in Moura area kills 200 militants". Reuters. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Mali opens investigation into alleged massacre in Moura village". RFI. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- "Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali". the Guardian. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- "Mali troops and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre". BBC News. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- "Mali Says 203 Killed in Military Operation in Sahel State". VOA. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Mali: Massacre by Army, Foreign Soldiers". Human Rights Watch. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ "Malian, foreign soldiers allegedly killed hundreds in town siege -rights group". Reuters. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ Lorgerie, Paul (14 April 2022). "Mali massacre survivors say white mercenaries involved in killings". Reuters. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- Forces Armées Maliennes (2 April 2022). "MMUNIQUE N°026 DE L'ETAT-MAJOR GENERAL DES ARMEES DU 01 AVRIL 2022" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "UN demands urgent access to site of alleged Mali massacre in Moura". RFI. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- "CIVIC Condemns Alleged Killing of Civilians in Moura, Encourages Transparent Investigation - Mali". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- Peltier, Elian (4 April 2022). "Western Officials Condemn Reports of 'Massacre' by Military in Central Mali". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- Canada, Global Affairs (5 April 2022). "Statement on violence in Moura, Mali". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- "Reported Massacre in Mali". United States Department of State. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- "Mali: UN expert urges probe into grave rights violations in Moura".
- "German Minister Questions Commitment in Mali After Moura 'Atrocities'". VOA. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- "Annalena Baerlock, la cheffe de la diplomatie allemande au Mali avant un possible retrait de la Bundeswehr". Sud Ouest (in French). 4 November 2022. ISSN 1760-6454. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- "Moscow hails Mali 'victory' after Moura operation". Al Arabiya English. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- AfricaNews (10 April 2022). "Mali: Russia blocks UN security council request for investigation into Moura massacre". Africanews. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- "Russian mercenaries linked to civilian massacres in Mali". the Guardian. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.