Worshipers in a mosque in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso (Anatolia-Archive)

On Monday, Agence France-Presse reported, citing security and local sources, that dozens were killed in what it described as a major attack that targeted a mosque in eastern Burkina Faso yesterday, on the same day as another bloody attack targeting a church.

A security source said, "Gunmen attacked a mosque in Natyabuani - Sunday - at five in the morning (local time and GMT), killing dozens."

A resident reported by phone that “the victims are all Muslims, most of them men who gathered in the mosque” to pray.

Another local source explained that the gunmen "entered the city early in the morning, surrounded the mosque, and then opened fire on the worshipers who were there to perform prayers. A number of them were shot dead, including a senior religious scholar."

The same source added that "military personnel and volunteers (civilian assistants to the army) were also targeted by these hordes, which came in large numbers," indicating a "major attack" given the number of attackers who also caused great material damage.

The town of Natiabwane is located about 60 kilometers south of Fada Ngurma, the capital of the Eastern Region, which has been regularly targeted by attacks by armed groups since 2018.

Church attack

On the same day as this mosque attack, at least 15 people were killed and two wounded by gunmen during mass at a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso, according to the Vicar General of the Diocese of Dore, Father Jean-Pierre Souadougou.

Several other attacks also took place - yesterday, Sunday - most notably against the Tankwalo Military Battalion (east), and against the 16th Rapid Action Battalion near Kongosi (north) and the mixed battalion in the Wahigoya region (north).

Burkina Faso has witnessed bloody attacks since 2015 attributed to movements loyal to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

It is estimated that these attacks resulted in the deaths of about 20,000 people and caused the displacement of more than two million people from their homes.

The village of Ikasani, whose church was attacked today, is located in the “border triangle” area between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, an area where these groups are highly active.

The three countries are suffering due to deteriorating security and repeated attacks launched by armed groups, and have witnessed successive military coups that toppled their civilian governments since 2020.

Source: French