No-go zones in Burkina Faso to 'protect civilians' - junta

The military rulers in Burkina Faso say they are creating two zones in the north and east of the country where no civilians will be allowed.

A military official said the aim was to make it easier to combat Islamist fighters who have carried out frequent attacks.

Maps purporting to show the no-go zones have been tweeted by Burkinabè analyst Dieudonné Lankoandé.

Earlier this month at least 79 people were killed during a jihadist raid near Burkina Faso's northern border with Mali. It was the deadliest attack since the military coup in January.

The soldiers who overthrew President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré said the government had not done enough to counter the Islamist threat and promised to restore security.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: Reuters