In northern Burkina Faso, a jihadi attack claimed by the Al-Qaida-affiliated group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) resulted in over 100 deaths, primarily among soldiers, as well as local residents, according to an aid worker and witnesses. The assault, which targeted multiple locations including a military base and the strategically crucial town of Djibo, began early Sunday morning. Residents noted that attackers aimed to destabilize defenses by assaulting eight locations simultaneously.
Burkina Faso, ruled by a military junta, has been severely affected by escalating violence in the Sahel region, marked as a global center for extremist activity. Reports indicate that nearly half of the country is not under government control, a deterioration attributed to ongoing violence that has contributed to two coups in 2022. Government forces have faced allegations of extrajudicial killings amid the insecurity.
The attack showcased JNIM’s growing influence and capability, particularly as it executed a coordinated effort to seize checkpoints and target military camps, specifically a unit trained for anti-terrorism. Observers noted that for several hours, the attackers operated without air support from Burkina Faso’s military—a stark contrast to previous incidents when security forces successfully repelled similar threats.
Experts suggest that the junta’s methods, which include escalating military action and recruiting civilians into untrained militias, may be exacerbating ethnic tensions. The incident at Djibo illustrates the challenges facing Burkina Faso’s government as it grapples with an intensifying insurgency and the complexities of maintaining security in the region.
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