Burkina Faso: Wave of jihadist attacks kill dozens

Burkina Faso’s fight against terrorism appears increasingly futile, as a wave of jihadist attacks has killed at least 28 civilians, according to Africa News via AP on March 12th.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented three separate incidents between January 29th and February 22nd.

A January 29th attack in the northern village of Solle led to nine women being abducted, who were threatened with rape and murder before being released the next day.

On February 14th, an attack in the northern city of Titao killed at least 34 people; witnesses said that attackers isolated Titao by destroying phone installations and also looted a military camp.

Similarly, a February 22nd attack in the eastern town of Manni killed four shopkeepers and destroyed several businesses.

The al-Qaeda affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) is believed to be responsible for the three documented attacks.

Islamist militants are particularly active in the eastern Fada N’Gourma region, which borders Niger and is repeatedly targeted by jihadists.

On March 6th, a police detachment in the Yamba region, situated roughly 30 kilometres from Fada N’Gourma, was attacked, leaving at least 30 people dead; the base was also looted and set ablaze.

Niger has also experienced rising jihadist violence from groups affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, which have become increasingly entrenched.

Under the guise of countering terrorism and alleged coup attempts, Burkina Faso’s military junta government has become increasingly authoritarian in its suppression of suspected opposition.

HRW has accused the junta of perpetrating mass killings of civilians with suspected Islamist ties; the killings were committed by a mix of special forces and pro-government militias.

Many of the civilians killed were from the Fulani community, a group that faces persecution throughout the Sahel over alleged Islamist ties.

The growing Islamist threat is not limited to the Burkina Faso-Niger border area, as the presence of extremist groups throughout the Sahel and West Africa has increased.

Jihadist groups have expanded operations in the border region between Niger, Nigeria and Benin; the latter blames rising Islamist violence on a spillover from Burkina Faso and Niger.

The main Nigeria-based jihadist groups are Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP); both are affiliated with the Islamic State and seek to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Africa.

JNIM has a presence in Nigeria, despite originating and primarily operating in the Sahel; the group is responsible for the ongoing fuel blockade in Mali.

Africa News via AP, Maghrebi.org