Attack on military base in Burkina Faso leaves 50 dead

An armed group carried out an assault on a military base in northern Burkina Faso, purportedly killing 50 soldiers, amid the country’s ongoing struggle with jihadists.

According to Africanews via AP, reported on July 30th, the attack was carried out by militant group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, also known as JNIM, who have allegedly been responsible for many recent attacks across West Africa. Around 100 armed individuals stormed the base, killing troops, looting, and then finally setting the base ablaze.

The assault was in the northern province of Dargo, an area commonly affected by Burkina Faso’s escalating security crisis in which large swathes of rural regions are currently under the control of terrorist organisations.

As reported by Maghrebi.org, JNIM has targeted multiple institutions in Burkina Faso, most notably the University of Fada N’Gourma. They have attacked the university three times in three weeks, destroying machinery and construction equipment, attacking security and police facilities, and setting fires.

As well as JNIM, the country has faced problems from the likes of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. In one particular incident, taking place on March 28th, “several terrorists” attacked a military convoy in eastern Burkina Faso, leaving dozens of casualties.

The persistent violence in the country is said to be the source of the major political instability, specifically the two coups that have taken place since 2022. Even with the new leadership of interim President Ibrahim Traore, the spread of extremist control continues.

Despite this, the country’s junta leadership has grown stronger ties with the Taliban. Afghani officials met with their Burkinabe counterparts in Tehran on May 12th, pledging “cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, mining, and the exchange of professional and vocational skills.” It is believed, for Burkina Faso, this was an attempt to address the country’s struggles with military insurgents, many of whom informally align with the Taliban.

The Dargo attack stands as another reminder of the heavy toll the struggle with jihadists is having on both the civilians and soldiers of Burkina Faso.

Africanews via AP, Maghrebi.org