Tragic Jihadist attack leaves 200 dead in Burkina Faso

Approximately 200 people have been killed in a jihadist attack in northern Burkina Faso, West Africa. Among the dead are soldiers.

The incident occurred in the town of Barsalogho, located in northern Burkina Faso, according to local authorities.

The terrorists attacked while local residents, forced by military authorities, were digging trenches intended to slow the progress of terrorist groups. Suddenly, jihadists appeared on the scene and opened fire on the workers.

As reported by RFI, bullets flew "in all directions, causing panic throughout the town."

Among the nearly 200 victims are civilians and the soldiers supervising their work. After the attack, the assailants took weapons from the soldiers and a military ambulance.

There are also many injured. At least 140 people were transported to local medical facilities. Those with the most severe injuries were airlifted to the town of Kaya in the central part of the country.

A group associated with Al-Qaeda, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wa-al-Muslimin (JNIM), claimed responsibility for the attack.

The military junta ruling Burkina Faso since 2022 has severed ties with Western countries, including France, which were assisting the government forces in fighting armed groups. The junta has turned to Russian mercenaries for help.

This change has not made the country safer. Terrorist attacks are becoming more frequent and increasingly bloody. So far this year, nearly 4,000 civilians and soldiers have been killed by terrorists in Burkina Faso.