A violent attack in central Burkina Faso on Saturday has resulted in the deaths of up to 200 people, with at least 140 more injured, according to sources. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the massacre.
The attack occurred in the Barsalogho region, approximately 40 kilometers north of the strategic town of Kaya. This town is considered one of the last strongholds safeguarding Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.
The assailants targeted people digging trenches designed to fortify security outposts in the area. Many of those killed were civilians, including women and children, who were caught in the crossfire or left trapped in the trenches they were working on. Some soldiers are reported missing, while the attackers seized military equipment, including a vehicle.
JNIM shared disturbing footage of the aftermath, showing mass casualties. Hospitals in the area have called for reinforcements, with medical staff from Kaya being dispatched to assist in treating the wounded.
The Burkina Faso military reportedly had prior knowledge of the planned attack and instructed locals to dig the protective trenches, highlighting the severity of the security crisis in the country. The attack illustrates the deteriorating control of the government over large parts of the nation, with nearly half of Burkina Faso’s territory now under the sway of various armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).
Despite the government’s efforts to bolster security forces with the help of Russian mercenaries, attacks continue to intensify, creeping closer to the capital. Burkina Faso’s military junta, which seized power in a coup in 2022, faces significant challenges, including internal unrest and growing discontent over its handling of the ongoing insurgency.
Burkina Faso has been plagued by escalating violence over the past decade, leading to the deaths of thousands and the displacement of over two million people. Last year alone, armed groups killed more than 8,400 people in the country, a dramatic rise in casualties compared to previous years, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.
This latest massacre underscores the increasingly desperate situation in the country, with security forces stretched thin and armed groups exploiting weaknesses in state control.
