By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
Multiple Suspected Jihadist Attacks Rock Burkina Faso, Leaving Dozens Dead
In a series of at least four suspected jihadist attacks over the past week, Burkina Faso has witnessed a significant surge in violence, resulting in the deaths of numerous soldiers and civilians, according to security and local sources cited by AFP.
The attacks primarily targeted military contingents, particularly in the restive north of the country. The incidents, spanning from December 24 to the present, have seen clashes between security forces and heavily armed terrorists.
One of the attacks occurred on Saturday at the military base in Nouna, northwest of the country. A local source reported a large group of heavily armed terrorists assaulting the base, resulting in casualties among both military personnel and civilians. A separate security source confirmed the attack and revealed another almost simultaneous assault on a northern detachment, which was successfully repelled.
Two additional attacks targeted military bases on December 24, with the Solle detachment facing a large-scale attack. Despite casualties, the swift and courageous response of the troops led to the repulsion of the assailants. The jihadists, as they retreated, were targeted by air strikes. The GSIM jihadist alliance, linked to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for this particular attack, asserting the killing of around 60 soldiers.
On the same day, a gendarmerie base in Gorgadji, located in the northern Sahel region, was targeted by a significant group of fighters arriving on motorcycles.
The military government, which assumed power after a September 2022 coup, typically refrains from commenting on casualty figures resulting from suspected jihadist attacks. However, state television reported that more than 30 terrorists were killed, and the army successfully destroyed three jihadist bases in the northwest.
In a New Year’s address on Sunday, Captain Ibrahim Traore, head of Burkina’s military rulers, pledged to intensify efforts to regain control of territory and escalate the fight against insurgents in 2024. Traore also announced the creation of a new “rapid interaction brigade” as part of the ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.
Burkina Faso has been grappling with escalating jihadist violence for several years, perpetrated by groups affiliated with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda. This wave of violence has affected not only Burkina Faso but also neighboring Mali and Niger.
Expressing concern about the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for the immediate release of political and civil society leaders detained in recent weeks. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to address the security challenges facing the nation.