Agency Report,
Military search and rescue operations have continued in the Kossi province of northwestern Burkina Faso after terrorists killed at least 22 civilians in a Jihadi attack that began late Sunday night and ended early Monday morning, July 4.
The regional governor of the area, Babo Pierre Bassinga, said in a statement that the “barbaric and cowardly” attack saw many injured and displaced. Military forces have already been deployed to search for and rescue other victims, he said.
The attack came just days after neighbouring Togo declared a state of emergency in its border area due to the spread of insecurity from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Deadly terrorist attacks led to the killing of at least 50 civilians in June 2022, in Seytenga commune, Seno province, which is located in borderlands where fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic States are engaged in battle.
Jihadist operations in Africa have also increased, with the Islamic States urging fighters to relocate to the continent after repeatedly declaring it a land of hijira (migration) and Jihad. Other Al-Qaeda affiliates on the continent have also increased operations and are competing with IS fighters for territorial control.
Analysts have argued that military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso have opened new windows of instability in the Sahel region, displacing nearly two million people and killing thousands.
According to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), authorities in Burkina Faso control only 60% of the country. They added that the country is dealing with a multifaceted crisis, including security, humanitarian, political, and socioeconomic issues.
Between February and May 2022, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded 530 violent attacks in the country, which is more than what was recorded in the same period in 2021.
AFP
