By RFIPosted on 24-12-2019Changed on 24-12-2019 at 19:33

The Burkinabe armed forces were attacked by armed terrorist groups this morning on December 24 in Arbinda in the province of Soum, in the north of the country. But thanks to air support, the attackers were repulsed: 35 civilians lost their lives, seven soldiers were killed and at least 80 attackers were killed.

Around 6:30 am on December 24 in the morning, armed groups launched the assault on two sites, in Arbinda, in the province of Soum, in the north of Burkina Faso. A booby-trapped vehicle crashed into a military detachment. The explosion was followed by gunfire. Meanwhile, civilian populations were the target of another group.

Among these populations, are many internally displaced persons following attacks in their locality, according to a source on the spot. The fighting lasted several hours, according to the staff. Several aircraft of the Burkina Faso armed forces had to intervene to repel the attackers. The hunt continued on the ground, according to an officer of the armed forces: 80 terrorists were neutralized, according to the General Staff of the armed forces.

A hundred motorcycles and weapons were seized. Seven people have been killed in the ranks of the security forces. Several civilians were also killed during the attack, the staff wrote in a statement. According to our sources, at least 35 people, including 31 women, have been murdered. Security forces discovered the bodies of all civilian victims during the sweep.

The city of Arbinda in northern Burkina Faso. © Google Maps

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