In Burkina Faso, attacks launched by “terrorists” cause serious casualties

Posted on August 26, 2024

Lecture: 2 minutes.

Armed men described by Burkina Faso authorities as “terrorists” killed dozens of people, including civilians, in north-central Burkina Faso on Saturday. Burkina FasoSome security sources cited by RFI colleagues mentioned even Nearly 200 people died.

Four ministers and the army chief of staff went to Kaya, about 45 km from the village of Barsalojo, to visit the victims, where most of the injured had been evacuated. European Union The region’s main al-Qaeda-linked armed groups have not claimed responsibility.

‘Crime gangs’

Communications Minister Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo speaks on national television One The “cowardly and brutal attack” was carried out by “gangs of criminals” who attacked “women, children, the elderly and men without distinction”.

For months, there was little communication from authorities on the matter. Consumer Electronics Show Violence continues to wreak havoc on the country. Security Minister Mahamoudou Sana expressed regret that civilians were being killed despite “air carrier response and support.” He added that the soldiers wait “VDP”Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (the name given to civilian auxiliaries who fought alongside the army) were also killed, but an unspecified number was given.

A security source said ” this The response of the soldiers and the HDP made it possible to eliminate several terrorists and avoid a greater tragedy. According to a source at the Kaya hospital, more than a hundred wounded were taken to the largest center Medical Urban.

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The country has been subject to frequent attacks by jihadist groups since 2015, killing more than 20,000 people (both civilians and soldiers), including nearly three soldiers. 800 This year, the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly accused Burkina Faso’s security forces and the People’s Democratic Party of carrying out massacres, according to the non-governmental organization Acled, which compiled a list of victims of conflicts around the world. be opposed to civilian.

Captain, leader of the Burkina Faso regime Ibrahim TraoreTrump, who came to power through a coup in September 2022, promised to fight “terrorism” exist “Priorities”.

(AFP report)