Al-Qaeda Affiliate Claims Responsibility for Attack That Killed 200 Burkina Faso Soldiers
Al-Qaeda Affiliated militant group has claimed responsibility for a large-scale assault on a military base in northern Burkina Faso, stating that it killed as many as 200 soldiers in a coordinated attack.
The group, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), made the claim through its propaganda channels, stating that the deadly assault was in retaliation for previous military operations against civilians.
The attack reportedly occurred in the town of Djibo and surrounding areas, a hotspot of jihadist activity in the Sahel region.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the militants launched simultaneous attacks across eight localities before moving on the Djibo military base. The fighters reportedly overran checkpoints and entered the town, unleashing a wave of gunfire and explosives against army positions.
If the casualty figures are confirmed, this would be one of the deadliest attacks against Burkina Faso’s armed forces since the insurgency began in 2015. The Burkinabe military has yet to release an official statement on the number of fatalities or injuries, though local security officials speaking on condition of anonymity have described the losses as “substantial.”
The assault highlights the increasing capabilities and boldness of jihadist factions operating in the region, particularly JNIM, which has expanded its influence across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The group is aligned with al-Qaeda and has previously claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks in the Sahel.
Observers noted a troubling absence of air support during the attack, suggesting a weakening of the military’s response capacity in remote regions. Burkina Faso’s military junta, which seized power in two coups in 2022, has struggled to contain the growing insurgency despite promises to restore security.
More than 2 million people have been displaced and thousands killed in the ongoing conflict, which has also disrupted access to food, water, and healthcare for vast portions of the population.
International partners and regional bodies have condemned the continued violence and called for renewed counter-terrorism efforts, though military solutions have so far failed to bring lasting stability to the region.
As the situation develops, humanitarian organizations are urging for immediate access to affected areas to assist potential survivors and displaced families.
