At least 11 civilians, primarily volunteer militia fighters supporting the national army, have been reported killed in a brutal attack by jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, according to local sources and security officials. The assault occurred on Wednesday in the town of Bagare, located in the northern province of Passore.
The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which announced its takeover of a military post belonging to the Burkinabe militias. However, the group did not provide specific details regarding the assault.
Eyewitnesses reported that heavily armed militants on motorcycles began their attack around 3:00 PM local time, with gunfire lasting for over an hour. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the assailants set fire to numerous shops, vehicles, and motorcycles, causing extensive destruction in the town.
Residents expressed their anguish over the casualties, particularly among the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), who were specifically targeted in the onslaught. One local described the death toll as “provisional,” suggesting the number could rise as more information becomes available.
The military junta led by Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in 2022, has mobilized thousands of civilian auxiliaries, known as VDPs, to support the armed forces in their fight against various armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS. These groups have been particularly active in the northern regions of Burkina Faso.
A regional security source confirmed that the VDP post was indeed attacked, but indicated that a counter-attack from government forces successfully repelled the jihadists, although further details were not disclosed.
Residents from surrounding villages, already under threat from jihadist attacks, had sought refuge in Bagare prior to the latest violence. In response to the escalating threat, one local voiced a plea for reinforcements to secure the town, warning that without additional support, the population could be forced to flee to larger cities such as Yako or Ouagadougou.
In a related development, the Burkina Faso government announced a new military operation aimed at enhancing security across the nation shortly before the attack. Security measures have also been intensified in the capital, Ouagadougou, following a wave of coordinated assaults by jihadists and Tuareg separatists in neighboring Mali.
