Dozens Killed in Attacks on Burkina Faso Army Base, Villages Amid Rising Insecurity

Multiple deadly attacks in Burkina Faso over the weekend have left scores dead, including soldiers, pro-government militiamen, and civilians, highlighting the deepening insecurity under the country’s military rule.

According to security sources, the Djibo military base in northern Burkina Faso was attacked on Sunday morning, with nearby locations including a police station and market also targeted. While the full death toll remains unclear, casualties reportedly include security personnel, militia fighters, and civilians.

“Many of our men have fallen… arms have also been taken. On the population side too, there were many losses in human life,” one source said anonymously, citing fear of government retaliation.

Djibo has faced repeated assaults over the years. In October 2022, 10 soldiers were killed and 50 wounded in a similar attack. The region remains a hotspot for extremist activity, particularly by Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups like JNIM, though no group has claimed responsibility for this latest assault.

Meanwhile, in the southern Koulpelogo province near the Togo border, at least 58 civilians were killed during a series of attacks on the villages of Bousgou, Salemboare, and Yonde. The violence began on Thursday evening and stretched across several days, according to Segda Bila, a local burial committee member.

Burkina Faso, under Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership since his 2022 coup, continues to battle a jihadist insurgency that has destabilized much of the Sahel region. Despite promises to restore security, militant attacks remain frequent and deadly.

The government has also come under fire for alleged human rights abuses. On Monday, Human Rights Watch accused Burkina Faso’s army of participating in a massacre of over 130 ethnic Fulani civilians in Boucle du Mouhoun in March, alongside pro-government militia fighters. The military previously dismissed related online images as a “disinformation campaign” aimed at sowing division.

The government has not issued an official comment on the recent attacks or the latest rights abuse allegations.

The latest violence adds to growing concerns about the country’s ability to protect civilians amid persistent conflict, increasing displacement, and deepening humanitarian challenges.