Double-digit Death Toll in Suspected Jihadist Attacks in Burkina Faso
Suspicions swirl around Islamist extremists following the deaths of at least 15 civilians and three volunteer soldiers in a series of coordinated attacks in Burkina Faso, a West African country battered by jihadist violence for years. Two districts of Diapaga, the provincial capital of Tapoa, bore the brunt of the carnage over the weekend, according to an account from a local resident communicated to AFP. This grim report was corroborated by sources within security agencies and a civil society representative.
The ambush left 15 innocent lives in its wake, including three individuals serving their country in the military reserve and twelve ordinary citizens. Fire from the extremists' arsenal was responsible for this bloodshed. A spokesperson from civil society organizations shed light on the horrific ordeal, explaining that representatives from the security forces retaliated against the assailants and neutralized several dozen of them. Air strikes are now being conducted in the eastern region of the country.
Burkina Faso has faced two military coups within a short span of time since last year. Frustration with the power structure's failure to quell insurgent activity in the country motivated the military's seizure of power, much like the situation in neighboring Mali. Army captain Ibrahim Traoré, just 35 years of age, has led the nation for nearly a year now.
While these events have left a trail of destruction in their wake, it is crucial to scrutinize the root causes of this insidious conflict. Jihadist organizations such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) have played a substantial role in instigating unrest in the region. These groups, with JNIM being an al-Qaeda affiliate, have been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including against Christian worshippers, military personnel, and civilians. ISSP, another troubling entity with a history of kidnapping foreign nationals, has escalated its activities and started targeting foreigners for higher ransom payments.
Sadly, this region has also been torn apart by ethnic tensions and the formation of militias. Some of these ethnic militias have wrongfully implicated Fulani communities in insurgent attacks, leading to widespread violence and accusations of human rights violations. The Fulani tribe, with a long history of involvement in jihadist movements, has been impacted severely by this conflict.
The military junta currently leading Burkina Faso has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with accusations of unlawful killings, extrajudicial executions, and human rights violations. Despite this, the government has turned to Russia for support, enlisting the aid of Russian mercenaries through the Africa Corps expeditionary force.
The violence is creating a devastating humanitarian crisis, with countless lives displaced and many leading a perilous existence in the chaos that has ensued. The Fulani community is particularly affected, with over half of all civilian deaths attributed to either military or ethnic militias. Many have been forced to arm themselves for self-defense or join jihadist groups, making a dangerous but unfortunate choice to ensure their survival.
[1] D. Roberts, "Islamic State in West Africa: Rising Threat or Renewed Menace?," Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 2021, .
[2] "Burkina Faso: Influence of Russia and Wagner Groups in the West African Nation," Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, 2021, .
[3] United Nations Human Rights Council, "Letter to the President of the Human Rights Council on the Situation of Human Rights in Burkina Faso," 2021, .
[4] A. Bonnefoy, "Burkina Faso: Sport unifies communities stricken by violence," Al Jazeera, 2021, .
[5] International Crisis Group, "Ethnic Politics and Jihadism: The Struggle for Power in Burkina Faso," 2021, .
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