Five civilian volunteers serving with the Burkina Faso army were tragically killed in an attack by armed groups in the western region of the country.
The incident occurred on Thursday in the Gnangdin area, near the borders of Togo and Ghana.
A forward security position, primarily staffed by Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), came under attack.
The VDP, a civilian militia assisting the army, are recruited locally, undergo basic training, and are often deployed alongside professional soldiers.
Following the attack, local residents staged a protest, blocking the main highway connecting the region to the Togolese border.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Burkina Faso, which has been grappling with violence since 2015.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of approximately 26,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.
This attack underscores the dangers faced by those working to defend their country against the escalating threat of insurgency.