Burkina Faso: 35 killed in suspected jihadist attack

A group of suspected Islamist militants attacked a military base and town in Burkina Faso on Tuesday, killing 35 civilians; 31 of whom were women. 

Officials announced that seven government soldiers and 80 militants were also killed as the army forced the insurgents out of the town of Abrinda in the northern Soum province. 

The attack was carried out by dozens of fighters on motorcycles and lasted several hours. No group has since claimed responsibility but the attack is likely linked to al-Qaeda or Islamic State. 

President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré declared two days of national mourning. He also paid tribute to the “heroic action of our soldiers” who took part in the battle. 

This violence reflects escalating tensions between Islamist groups and West African governments in recent years. Conflict has continued to spread despite Western efforts to help local governments combat the insurgents. 

Last weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern for the future of the region during a visit to Niger. 

“The coming weeks are absolutely decisive for our fight against terrorism”,  he said.

Conflict spread to Burkina Faso from neighbouring Mali, where Islamist militants took control of the north of the country in 2012, before being pushed back by French troops. Since 2015, approximately 700 people have been killed and a further 56,000 displaced in Burkina Faso. 

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