The al-Qaida-affiliated group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for an attack in Burkina Faso’s Barsalogho on Saturday claiming to over 300 people’s lives, saying that they “ targeted militia members linked to Burkina Faso army, not civilians,” Reuters reported.
The victim’s relatives dispute the death toll provided by JNIM and said at least 400 people were killed in total. This recent assault brings the total number of civilian casualties in Burkina Faso to over 6,900 since the start of 2020.
The attack is one of the deadliest in the country’s nearly decade-long fight against Islamist extremist violence.
Burkina Faso’s government has not released an official death toll yet, but reports indicate that soldiers and volunteer army auxiliaries were also among the victims.
In JNIM’s statement claiming responsibility, they asserted that the victims were militia members assisting the Burkinabe military.
However, videos released by the militants show bodies in trenches, mostly in civilian clothing. The attack took place as civilians were reportedly digging defensive trenches at the request of the military.
This incident underscores the increasing reliance on civilian participation in Burkina Faso’s fight against jihadist groups.
The bloodshed raises concerns about the effectiveness of this strategy, as civilians assisting the military are now being targeted as collaborators by jihadist groups.
Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has faced significant criticism for its handling of the situation. The advocacy group “Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho” condemned the authorities for using the military to force the community to build trenches.
The group stated that the trenches “turned out to be mass graves,” expressing outrage over the deaths of civilians that occurred as they carried out military orders.
Since the start of 2023, at least 4,500 people have been killed in Burkina Faso due to escalating violence, averaging 19 deaths daily.
JNIM’s attack in Barsalogho highlights the jihadists’ growing strength and their ability to carry out large-scale operations.
Security experts have noted the lack of sufficient air cover, intelligence, and effective border control with Mali and Niger as contributing factors to the worsening security situation.
The Burkina Faso government has responded with ground and air support, but the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
Human rights abuses by security forces have also driven more people to join jihadist ranks, further destabilizing the region.