In a tragic escalation of violence in eastern Burkina Faso, a reported “suspected jihadist attack” has resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers and civilian auxiliaries. Local and security sources informed AFP on Sunday that the incident occurred in Tapoa province, specifically targeting an army detachment from Diapaga in what was described as a “violent attack” on Friday.
The casualties include both regular army personnel and civilian volunteers, with reports indicating that many others were wounded. Eyewitness accounts from local residents revealed that the attack not only focused on the military detachment but also impacted the surrounding town, where terrorists allegedly set fire to shops and homes.
A hospital source in the nearby city of Fada N’Gourma reported that approximately 30 individuals, all members of the security forces, were evacuated to medical facilities for treatment following the violence. The situation remains tense, with residents in Diapaga stating gunfire could still be heard in the area the day after the assault.
As the military attempted to regain control, a separate security source noted that “several terrorists were neutralised in the retaliation,” prompting the army to initiate a sweeping operation in the vicinity to root out remaining threats. However, there has been no immediate response from Burkinabe authorities regarding the recent attack.
This incident is part of a troubling trend in the region, which has faced escalating jihadist violence since 2015 from groups associated with the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda. Earlier this month, similar attacks had already claimed the lives of at least a dozen security personnel and civilians.
In response to the ongoing security crisis, the Burkinabe government, under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traore—who assumed power following a military coup in 2022—announced the establishment of a new rapid intervention battalion (BIR) to be stationed in Diapaga. This new battalion is paired with the Volontaires pour la Defense de la Patrie (VDP), local civilians trained for three months and armed to assist in combating jihadist violence.
Non-governmental organizations such as Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about civilian casualties resulting from operations carried out by the Burkinabe army and the VDP in their fight against jihadism. According to conflict monitoring organization ACLED, the ongoing violence has led to over 26,000 deaths, displacing more than two million people across the nation.
As the situation continues to evolve, concerns about security and the humanitarian implications of such attacks remain paramount for both local citizens and the international community observing the persistent turmoil in Burkina Faso.
