Mali: HRW Reports Army and Dozo Militias Kill Civilians in Ségou RegionNovember 18, 2025

Bamako, November 17, 2025 - Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented two deadly operations by the Malian army and Dozo militias in the Ségou region, which killed at least 31 civilians and destroyed multiple homes. The attacks occurred on October 2 and October 13, 2025, targeting the villages of Kamona and Ballé.

The Dozos, traditionally hunters, have increasingly acted as auxiliaries to the Malian army in operations against JNIM. According to HRW, both attacks took place in areas where no jihadists were present, raising serious concerns about indiscriminate violence against civilians.

October 2 - Kamona: A large Malian military convoy, supported by Dozos on motorcycles, entered the village. Survivors reported that men unable to flee were arrested, executed, and their bodies shot, while approximately ten houses were burned. HRW confirmed at least 21 deaths, although some testimonies suggest the toll could be higher.

October 13 - Ballé: A similar operation occurred, with soldiers and Dozos arriving in pickup trucks and on motorcycles. Villagers reported ten civilians killed, including a woman, and the theft of about 100 cows. Residents described living under JNIM-imposed taxes, which the army reportedly interpreted as complicity with jihadists.

HRW contacted the Malian authorities for comment but received no response. The army claimed it had neutralized around 20 terrorists in Ballé, a version that contradicts witness accounts.

The NGO called for an independent investigation, stressing that the Malian armed forces must distinguish between civilians and combatants. Failure to do so, HRW warns, could constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.