PRELIMINARY REPORT
Regarding serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Azawad. Period covered: from 26 April to 19 May 2026.
1 – Introduction
Date : 20/05/2026
This preliminary report aims to draw the attention of national, regional, and international public opinion to the increasing number of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Azawad territories.
For several weeks, numerous consistent reports from the ground have indicated attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, the discovery of mass graves, arbitrary detentions, and inhuman and degrading treatment attributed to the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and their Russian partners operating in several regions of Azawad.
This document is not an exhaustive report. Due to the vastness of the territory, persistent insecurity, access restrictions, and ongoing military operations, it remains impossible at present to accurately determine the true number of civilian casualties, missing persons, mass graves, or detainees who have died in custody.
The facts reported below come from local testimonies, community sources, information gathered in the field, and reports submitted to our organization.
2 – General Context
For several years, the Azawad region has experienced a continuous deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation. Military operations conducted in various areas have had serious consequences for the civilian population, including:
• Forced displacement;
• Destruction of homes;
• Significant livestock losses;
• Restrictions on access to healthcare;
• Arbitrary arrests;
• Enforced disappearances;
• As well as repeated violations of the fundamental rights of the population.
Civilian populations living in isolated areas are particularly exposed due to the absence of effective protection mechanisms and the lack of access for independent observers.
3 – Documentation of reported violations
3.1. Attack on the Em-Naghil Community Health Centre.
Gao Region – Night of April 26, 2026.
On the night of April 26, 2026, a drone strike targeted the Em-Naghil Community Health Center (CSCom) in the Gao region. According to locally gathered information, this attack resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including:
• A health worker in charge of the center (Moghaze Ag Aboubacrine);
• As well as a hospitalized patient.
This strike also reportedly caused significant damage to healthcare infrastructure, jeopardizing access to care for local populations. Medical facilities and healthcare personnel benefit from special protection under international humanitarian law.
3.2. Strike Against a Civilian Vehicle in Inagozmi
Timbuktu Region – May 10, 2026.
On May 10, 2026, a strike in the town of Inagozmi, in the Timbuktu region, targeted a civilian Hilux vehicle.
The preliminary report indicates:
• Several deaths;
• As well as injuries among the civilian passengers.
Local accounts indicate that the occupants were not participating in hostilities at the time of the incident.
3.3 Bombing of civilian homes in Marat.
Between Adjelhoc and Tessalit – Kidal Region.
Bombings have been reported in the town of Marat, located between Adjelhoc and Tessalit.
According to information gathered:
• Several civilian homes were reportedly damaged;
• Significant material damage was reported;
• Numerous animals belonging to local populations were reportedly killed.
These attacks have severely affected the livelihoods of populations who live primarily from livestock farming.
3.4 Violence against civilians in Assikade.
13 mai 2026 – Région de Kidal.
On May 13, 2026, in Assikade, a locality situated approximately 7 km west of Adjelhoc, a FAMa patrol accompanied by Russian elements reportedly:
• Violently assaulted Sataw Ag Alkhamisse, who reportedly later died;
• Then proceeded to arrest Ahmed Ag Alhousseiny, known as “Intika”.
The exact circumstances of this arrest remain unknown at this stage.
3.5 Discovery of bodies and mass graves.
a) Nossi zone – Cercle de Léré (Timbuktu region)
Bodies have been discovered in the Nossi area, located approximately 17 km northeast of Léré.
The circumstances of the deaths and the identities of the victims have not yet been precisely established.
b) Mass graves near Tessalit (Amachach)
Two mass graves were discovered near the Tessalit (Amachach) camp, approximately 100 to 150 meters from the military site.
The reported coordinates are as follows:
• 20°15’52.9″N
• 0°58’46.4″E
According to several local accounts:
• Residents are afraid to approach the pits;
• The possible presence of hidden explosive devices is feared;
• This practice has already been reported in some areas since the arrival of the Russian mercenaries.
No independent investigative mission has yet been able to freely access the area.
3.6 Executions of civilians near the Toukki well.
May 14, 2026 – Léré area, Timbuktu region.
On May 14, 2026, four innocent civilians—three men and one woman—were reportedly murdered at the Toukki well, located approximately 35 km northeast of Léré, near Sognima.
According to locally gathered information, these civilians were allegedly executed by a Malian army patrol accompanied by Russian mercenaries operating in the area.
3.7 Reported use of cluster bombs.
May 15, 2026 – Timbuktu Region.
Locally gathered information indicates that cluster bombs were used for the first time in the Azawad region on May 15, 2026, approximately 60 km from Inagozmi, in the Timbuktu region.
Health workers on the ground also suspect the use of mustard gas in the ongoing conflict. Only an independent investigation can verify these suspicions.
These strikes targeted civilian vehicles.
On the same day, a Toyota GX was bombed near Timbuktu.
According to available testimonies:
• The occupants were burned alive;
• The victims were civilians.
The use of cluster munitions in areas where there are civilian populations raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
3.8 Air strike on civilian camps in Talabit and Tadjmart:
May 17, 2026 – Kidal Region.
On May 17, 2026, a Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet belonging to the Russian mercenary group Afrika Korps reportedly targeted civilian camps in Talabit and Tadjmart, located approximately 80 km from Kidal.
The preliminary report states:
• Of four injured;
• Including two women;
• As well as the death of a 7-year-old child.
The strikes also reportedly caused:
• Significant material damage;
• Partial destruction of homes and civilian settlements.
Further information is expected regarding the evolving situation.
3.9 Strikes against civilian vehicles in Amasrakad and near Timbuktu:
May 19, 2026 – Gao and Timbuktu Regions
On May 19, 2026, a drone strike targeted a civilian passenger vehicle in Amasrakad, in the Gao region.
According to locally gathered information, this attack resulted in the deaths of:
• The vehicle owner (Issouf Ag Aljimite, a disabled man);
• And two other civilians.
On the same day, two other civilian transport vehicles were reportedly bombed near Timbuktu. The six occupants of these vehicles also reportedly lost their lives.
Testimonies also indicate the use of high-capacity bombs against civilian populations.
These attacks have significantly increased the climate of fear among civilian populations, who say they can no longer move around freely or access medical care without risk of being targeted.
4. Arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and conditions of detention:
Our organization, Imouhagh International, has been contacted on several occasions regarding cases of disappearances that occurred after the events of April 25, 2026.
Several consistent testimonies report:
• Arbitrary arrests;
• Secret detentions;
• Forced disappearances in the Azawad territories as well as in Bamako
Particularly alarming information also indicates that:
• Inmates are reportedly being held in metal containers without ventilation;
• Some are being deprived of water and assistance;
• Several deaths have reportedly occurred in detention due to extreme temperatures and mistreatment.
Our organization was also able to gather testimony from a former State Security (SE) detainee, who claimed to have suffered:
• Acts of torture;
• Physical violence;
• As well as inhuman and degrading treatment.
According to his testimony, several detainees did not survive the abuse they suffered during their detention.
5. Humanitarian impact:
The reported violence has had serious humanitarian consequences for the civilian population:
• Loss of life;
• Psychological trauma;
• Destruction of homes;
• Livestock losses;
• Restricted access to healthcare;
• Displacement of populations;
• Worsening food insecurity.
• A widespread climate of fear within communities.
Populations living in rural and pastoral areas appear particularly vulnerable.
6. Analysis in light of international law:
• The facts documented in this report are likely to constitute serious violations:
• International humanitarian law;
• International human rights law;
• And conventions relating to the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Among the violations that may be characterized are:
• Attacks against civilians;
• Attacks against healthcare facilities;
• Extrajudicial killings;
• Enforced disappearances;
• Torture;
• Arbitrary detentions;
• Inhuman and degrading treatment;
• As well as the use of weapons capable of indiscriminately affecting civilian populations.
These acts could lead to individual criminal liability for their perpetrators and those who commissioned them.
7. Recommendations.
To human rights organizations:
• To open independent, impartial, and transparent investigations;
• To identify and prosecute those responsible;
• To guarantee the effective protection of civilian populations;
• To end attacks targeting health facilities and civilian property;
• To close clandestine detention centers;
• To respect international standards regarding the treatment of detainees.
To the international community:
• To act urgently to prevent further violations;
• To support the protection of civilian populations;
• To combat impunity.
To independent international mechanisms:
• To obtain unrestricted access to the areas concerned;
• To investigate reported mass graves;
• To document the violations committed;
• To establish an independent team tasked with searching for and identifying missing persons.
To humanitarian and human rights organizations:
• To strengthen monitoring of violations;
• To provide assistance to victims;
• To support affected communities.
8. Conclusion:
This document constitutes a preliminary report prepared in a conflict context marked by access restrictions, significant security risks, and ongoing military operations.
Given the vastness of the Azawad territory and the continued violence reported, it remains impossible at this stage to establish a comprehensive account of the violations committed.
Only independent, thorough, and long-term investigations, conducted with the support of local communities, will make it possible to establish the full truth about the reported abuses, mass graves, enforced disappearances, and deaths in detention.
We reiterate that civilians, women, children, and all persons not directly participating in hostilities are protected by international humanitarian law.
Any deliberate attack on their lives or physical integrity constitutes a grave violation that may render its perpetrators and those who ordered it responsible.
Adresse : 13 Rue Louis et Maurice Frouin 49000 Angers
E-mail : [email protected] Téléphone (France) : +33 7 82 92 84 01 https://imuhagh.org
03-06-26