34 People Killed in 2 Jihadhist Attacks in Burkina Faso by Groups Linked to al-Qaeda or ISIS

Jihadist attacks condemned by the Gulf countries; evidence of national reconciliation Ouagadougou.

Agenzia Fides reports that 34 people died in two jihadist attacks are the latest victims of the instability that has arisen since 2015 in Burkina Faso, where according to the authorities of Ouagadougou, 40% of the territory is out of control. The latest attacks took place last weekend in the northern and northwestern part of Burkina Faso. At least 22 people died and many were injured in the assault on the town of Bourasso (in the north-west). According to the testimony of a survivor, "the jihadists initially fired into the air in the village around 5am on Sunday, July 3 and left, and then came back firing at random people".

 The other deadly attack took place in the Namissiguima region, in the province of Yatenga, in the north of the country, with the killing of 12 people including some volunteers to defend the homeland, the members of the self-defense militias of the villages formed by the government to try to face the assaults of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda or ISIS. The attacks were condemned by the Arabian Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates expressed their "strong condemnation of these criminal acts" and reiterated their rejection of "all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilizing security and stability in violation of human values and principles". Bahrain reiterated its "solidarity with Burkina Faso in its war against terrorism, calling on the international community to intensify its efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism in all its forms".

 Meanwhile, Kuwait's foreign ministry in a statement outlined the country's "position of principle and firm stance against violence and terrorism" in condemning the attacks.

 The Gulf states also sent their condolences to the Burkina Faso leadership and the families of the victims. As part of the national reconciliation effort, former President Blaise Compaoré, who has been in exile in Côte d'Ivoire since the fall of 2014, is expected to meet with the military authorities who carried out the coup in January at the weekend in Ouagadougou. On Sunday, the military in power i n Ouagadougou announced the "total liberation" of President Roch Kaboré, whose freedom was limited by the January 24 coup that overthrew him. (L.M.) (Source Agenzia Fides, 6/7/2022)

Image Public Domain - https://nara.getarchive.net/