Two militant attacks in northeastern Burkina Faso early this week killed dozens of soldiers and civilians, security sources told AFP on Friday. On Monday, a “major” assault targeted a military unit in the village of Dargo, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, a regional source said.
That same day, militants ambushed a supply convoy between Dori and Gorom-Gorom, killing several soldiers and civilian truck drivers transporting essential goods, another source reported.
A road haulage manager confirmed the convoy attack, stating about 20 drivers and apprentices lost their lives in the deadly ambush. The assault on the military base was claimed by JNIM, an armed militant group linked to Al-Qaeda active in Mali and Niger.
JNIM has become the most influential terrorist threat in the Sahel region, according to the United Nations, casting a dark shadow over West Africa. Since 2015, Burkina Faso has endured relentless attacks from JNIM and the Islamic State group, destabilizing the fragile security landscape.
These deadly strikes underscore the ongoing violence gripping the region and the severe challenges faced by Burkina Faso’s security forces. As the militants tighten their grip, civilians and soldiers alike remain trapped in a grim battle for survival.