At least 40 killed in Burkina Faso military attack

Unknown people attacked the army and the volunteer defense forces in the north of Burkina Faso. As a result, 40 people were killed and 33 others were injured, Reuters reports, citing a statement from the local government.

According to the authorities, the attack took place in the village of Aorema, located near the city of Ouhiguya in the northern region, near the border with Mali. This region is captured by Islamist groups associated with Al-Qaeda (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation) and the Islamic State (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation). Among those killed were six soldiers and 34 members of the volunteer defense forces.

Burkina Faso announced a general mobilization this week. The country’s president, Ibrahim Traore, said it was necessary to fight “jihadist attacks” that control 40% of the country’s territory. More than 10,000 people have died as a result of violence in Burkina Faso over the past seven years, according to local non-governmental organizations.

Laura Keffer