[Niamey (Niger)]At least 100 people were killed in the shooting in a village in northern Burkina Faso, the government announced on Saturday.
The attack took place Friday night in the village of Solhan, Yaga, Sahel, government spokesman Ousseni Tamboura said in a statement condemning the jihadists. Even in areas near the Niger border, with local markets. Some houses were burnt down, he said.
President Roch Marc Christian Kabole called the attack “barbaric.”
This is the most deadly attack recorded in Burkina Faso, a senior in armed conflict location and event data projects since the West African nation was subdued by jihadists associated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic state about five years ago. Researcher Heni Nivia said.
“It is clear that militant groups have raised their gear to exacerbate the situation in Burkina Faso and have moved their efforts to areas beyond the reach of the French-led counter-terrorism coalition fighting them in the tripoint. “The above.
No group claims responsibility for the attack.
Despite the presence of more than 5,000 French troops in the Sahel, jihadist violence is on the rise. In the week of April, more than 50 people were killed in Burkina Faso, including two Spaniard journalists and one Irish nature maintenance activist. More than 1 million people are internally displaced in the country.
Fearing danger, a local man who didn’t want to be named visited a relative in a clinic in the town of Seba, about 12 kilometers from where the attack took place. He said he saw many injured enter the clinic.
“There were 12 in one room and about 10 in another. Many relatives took care of the injured. Many ran to enter Seba from Solhan …. People were very afraid, I’m worried, “he told The Associated Press on the phone.
The government declared 72 hours of mourning.
Islamic extremists have launched more and more attacks in Burkina Faso, especially in the areas bordering Niger and Mali.
Last month, shooters killed at least 30 people in eastern Burkina Faso, near the border with Niger.
Burkina Faso’s unequipped army is struggling to contain the spread of jihadists. Received retaliation from extremists targeting supporting communities.
Mali is also experiencing a political crisis that has led to the suspension of international support. France said it would suspend joint military operations with the Malian Armed Forces until the West African junta responded to international demands to regain control of civilians.