Jihadist attack in Burkina Faso leaves nearly 200 dead, many wounded

Around 200 people were killed in a jihadist attack in northern Burkina Faso (West Africa). Among the dead are soldiers.

Local authorities reported that the incident occurred in the city of Barsalogho, located in northern Burkina Faso.

The terrorists attacked when the local population, forced by military authorities, was digging trenches meant to slow the progress of terrorist groups. Suddenly, jihadists appeared on the scene and opened fire on the workers.

As reported by the RFI station, bullets were flying "in all directions, spreading panic throughout the city."

Among the nearly 200 victims are civilians and soldiers supervising their work. After the attack, the assailants took weapons and a military ambulance from the soldiers.

There are also many injured. At least 140 people were transported to local medical facilities. Those with the most severe injuries were transported by helicopter to the city of Kaya in the central part of the country.

The attack was claimed by the group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wa-al-Muslimin (JNIM), linked to Al-Qaeda.

The military junta ruling Burkina Faso since 2022 cut ties with Western countries, including France, which had been assisting government forces in fighting armed groups. The junta turned to Russian mercenaries for help.

This change did not make the country safer. Terrorist attacks are becoming more frequent and increasingly bloody. Just this year, nearly 4,000 civilians and soldiers have been killed by terrorists in Burkina Faso.