A security official in Tapoa province reported that an army unit from the central city of Diapaga was subjected to a “violent attack” on Friday. The casualties included both regular army personnel and civilian volunteers, with the official noting that there were “numerous injuries.”
A suspected jihadist assault in eastern Burkina Faso has resulted in the deaths of several dozen soldiers and civilian auxiliaries, as reported by local and security sources to AFP on Sunday.
A security official from Tapoa province indicated that an army unit stationed in Diapaga was targeted in a “violent attack” on Friday. This incident led to significant casualties among both regular army personnel and civilian volunteers, with many others sustaining injuries.
Another security source corroborated the attack, noting that “several terrorists were neutralized during the counterattack” and that the military has initiated a search operation in the vicinity.
A hospital representative in the eastern city of Fada N’Gourma reported that “approximately 30 injured individuals, all from the security forces, were evacuated to the regional hospital yesterday (Saturday).”
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been beset by jihadist violence from factions associated with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit, over 26,000 individuals have lost their lives, and more than two million have been displaced due to jihadist violence that has affected the West African nation for the past nine years.
The ongoing conflict has fractured a once harmonious society, besieged numerous cities, and resulted in two military coups.
