Mali: Livestock killed by military in separatist-held region
On June 17th, FAMA and Russian forces stationed in Aguelhoc captured a shepherd in the Atchou sector, situated roughly 40 kilometres southwest of Aguelhoc; troops machine-gunned approximately 300 sheep, killing 200.
Mali’s Armed Forces (FAMA) and the Russian Africa Corps are facing scrutiny once again following the killing of livestock in a strategic town, according to RFI and agencies on June 18th.
On June 17th, FAMA and Russian forces stationed in Aguelhoc captured a shepherd in the Atchou sector, situated roughly 40 kilometres southwest of Aguelhoc; troops machine-gunned approximately 300 sheep, killing 200.
Aguelhoc is in the northern Kidal region, which has been controlled by the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM since coordinated attacks on April 25th.
JNIM is behind the fuel blockade Mali has experienced since September 2025; the group announced a renewed blockade on Bamako on April 28th.
FLA fighters recaptured Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold that Malian authorities regained control of in November 2023; the FLA are reportedly holding over 200 FAMA soldiers captive in Kidal.
Since May 1st, Kidal’s Tessalit camps have been controlled by JNIM and the FLA after being deserted by Malian and Russian forces.
Troops remain present in the Aguelhoc and Anefis camps; the CD-DPA has denounced the livestock killings and accused FAMA of “targeting the livelihoods of the population.”
Intanherte, a nomadic encampment situated around 20 kilometres east of Aguelhoc, was targeted by FAMA and Russian auxiliaries on June 7th; over 80 goats, cows and donkeys were killed by gunfire.
On June 15th, Tuareg rebels launched kamikaze drone attacks on the Anefis camp, although no injuries were reported.
It is unclear if this attack is linked to the June 17th livestock killings.
The CD-DPA has accused Malian and Russian forces of forcing populations “into exile” by killing livestock and burning dwellings.
Military operations have increased in northern and central Mali since the April 25th attacks.
Between May 15th and 17th, Russian and Malian forces allegedly utilised cluster bombs in Timbuktu and Kidal.
Cluster bombs are prohibited under the 2010 Oslo Accords, which Mali ratified, because of the danger they pose to civilians.
FAMA and Russian forces have faced repeated criticism over alleged complicity in human rights violations, including sexual violence and murder.
In April, three civil society organisations filed a lawsuit against FAMA and the Wagner Group, which now operates under the Russian Africa Corps, over allegations of human rights abuses.
The lawsuit also accused Mali’s junta of failing to protect civilians from violence.
Maghrebi has contacted the Malian Prime Minister’s Office for comment on the June 17th livestock killings, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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