Six killed in suspected jihadist attack in Burkina Faso

Six people were killed when suspected jihadist gunmen attacked a town in central Burkina Faso, a local governor said on Tuesday, as the country grapples with a brutal seven-year insurgency.

Thousands of Burkinabe civilians, troops, and police have died, and more than two million fled their homes, since the extremist rebellion spilled over from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

In the latest deadly incident attributed to jihadists, “unidentified armed men” attacked the town of Dassa late on Monday afternoon, regional governor Boubacar Traore said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the toll of this attack stands at six dead and one injured. We also deplore significant material damage,” he said.

Traore urged “greater collaboration” from local residents with security forces fighting the jihadists.

On January 26, around 10 civilians were killed in two attacks by suspected jihadists in Dassa.

Last week a series of attacks in the country left around 50 people dead, including civilians and security forces.

The escalating violence is often attributed to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Around 40 percent of the country lies outside the government’s control.

Anger within the military at the mounting bloodshed sparked two coups in 2022, the most recent of which was in September, when 34-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power.

Source: newagebd