Hundred jihadists killed near Burkina Faso-Niger border - report

Military officials in Burkina Faso and Niger say at least 100 Islamist militants have been killed this month during joint operations near their shared border. 

A statement sent to AFP news agency on Saturday said the two-week operation had involved hundreds of soldiers. 

Weapons were seized, home-made bombs were deactivated and more than 100 motorbikes recovered, it said.

Islamist militants who target villages in the two countries – as well as in Mali – often use motorbikes during their attacks. 

At the beginning of June more than 170 people were killed in two villages in north-east Burkina Faso – the worst attack in years.

The government blamed jihadists, some of whom it said were as young as 12.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: BBC