Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an armed group linked to al-Qaeda, claims responsibility for the attack.
An armed group linked to al-Qaeda, known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has taken credit for a devastating attack in central Burkina Faso that resulted in the deaths of up to 200 people and left at least 140 others injured. The tragic incident occurred in Barsalogho, just 40km north of the vital town of Kaya, which serves as a crucial defense post protecting the capital city of Ouagadougou.
During the assault, fighters targeted teams digging trenches to fortify security outposts, leading to numerous soldiers going missing and the perpetrators seizing weapons and a military ambulance. Alarming footage released by JNIM showed the grim aftermath of the attack, with casualties including men, women, and children left in the trenches they were constructing, now serving as mass graves.
Despite efforts by the Burkina Faso army to warn the population and fortify defenses, the country continues to struggle with armed groups associated with al-Qaeda. The ongoing violence has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced over two million people, making Burkina Faso one of the most neglected displacement crises in the world.