The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation into reports that dozens of Malian soldiers were tortured and killed after surrendering during fighting in the Gao region, warning that the alleged acts could amount to war crimes and insisting that those responsible face justice.
In a statement issued in Geneva on Thursday, UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan condemned the reported actions of the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) following clashes on July 18. The UN also urged that those found responsible be prosecuted through fair trials and that victims and their families receive remedies.
The rights office said it was deeply concerned by allegations that dozens of Malian soldiers were tortured and killed after laying down their arms, adding that videos circulating online have raised further concerns over what happened after the soldiers surrendered.
"We deplore the reported torture and killing of dozens of surrendering Malian soldiers by the Touareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) armed groups in the Gao region on 18 July," Al-Kheetan said.
The UN statement follows a deadly attack on July 18, 2026, when a joint force made up of the Azawad Liberation Front and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin ambushed a Malian military convoy travelling from Anefis to Gao.
The two armed groups later claimed responsibility for the operation, saying it caused "great human losses" and "serious material damage" to Malian forces.
FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said many soldiers were killed while others were captured alive during the attack. He also said armoured vehicles and military equipment were either destroyed or seized.
According to local officials quoted by international media, the ambush left more than 50 Malian soldiers dead and at least 24 others captured, making it one of the deadliest attacks against the country's military this year.
Videos shared by the armed groups appear to show captured soldiers surrendering before some are allegedly shot. However, the footage has not been independently verified.
Against that backdrop, the UN Human Rights Office said the allegations require an impartial investigation to establish exactly what happened during and after the reported surrender of the soldiers.
"There needs to be a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of this incident, including the actions contained in the horrendous footage circulated online appearing to show FLA/JNIM members firing at the soldiers after they surrendered, with their hands behind their heads," UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.
The UN said the reported treatment of soldiers who had already surrendered raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law, which protects people who are no longer taking part in fighting.
It stressed that those considered hors de combat, including soldiers who have surrendered, are wounded or are otherwise unable to continue fighting, must not be subjected to violence, torture or execution.
"Killing, torturing or abusing individuals hors de combat is a war crime," Al-Kheetan said.
Security analysts say the attack points to closer cooperation between the FLA, which is seeking an independent Azawad state in northern Mali, and JNIM, which is working to expand its presence across the Sahel.
The partnership has led to more attacks against Mali's military and its Russian-backed allies as both sides battle for control of territory.
The UN Human Rights Office urged the armed groups accused of the abuses to immediately stop such actions and ensure similar incidents do not happen again.
"The armed groups must stop such violations and prevent any recurrence," the statement said.
The rights office also stressed that justice must go beyond investigating the allegations and include prosecuting those responsible through legal processes that meet international standards.
"Accountability must be achieved, and those responsible must be brought to justice within fair trials. Remedy must be provided to victims and their families," Al-Kheetan said.
The UN said its intervention reflects growing concern over the protection of people who have surrendered during armed conflict, while reaffirming that alleged violations of international humanitarian law must be independently investigated and those responsible held accountable.