Burkina Faso: civilians and soldiers killed in attacks in the Sahel region
Burkinabè soldiers in training in February 2020 (Illustrative image).
© The Washington Post via Getty Images
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An attack targeted populations and soldiers Wednesday afternoon August 4 in Burkina Faso.
Several localities in the province of Oudalan, not far from the border with Niger, have been the target of armed groups.
About thirty people were killed, including fifteen Burkinabè soldiers.
A dozen terrorists have been neutralized, according to the Minister for Defense.
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With our correspondent in Ouagadougou,
Yaya Boudani
It was the populations of the villages of Dambam, Gudba and Tokabangou located about ten kilometers from Markoye who were initially targeted by an attack by armed terrorist groups.
The attack took place around 12 p.m. (local time) according to a statement from the Minister of Defense.
Eleven civilians were "
cowardly slaughtered while some were cultivating their fields,
" reports a security source.
Cattle were swept away and the attackers set fire to several concessions.
Counter-offensive to find the attackers
A unit of the defense and security forces of the military detachment based in Markoye has been deployed to help these populations in distress.
During the security operations, the unit was in turn attacked these armed groups.
During the fighting, fifteen Burkinabè soldiers and four Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland fell, according to Aimé Barthélémy Simporé, the Minister Delegate for National Defense.
For their part, the Burkinabè forces neutralized a dozen terrorists, according to the same source.
The entire area affected by the attack is under the control of the Burkinabè forces and the counter-offensive to find the attackers continues with air and land resources according to the armed forces.
►Also read: The Burkinabè army charges the terrorist groups in Madjoari and Pama
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Burkina Faso
Defense
Terrorism