New Burkina Faso attack results in killing of a dozen civilians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jun 2023 00:07
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Around a dozen villagers were killed in western Burkina Faso and several others were wounded.

Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power in a January coup, ousting Burkina’s elected leader and promising to rein in the militants. (AFP)

Suspected militants killed nearly a dozen villagers and injured many more in western Burkina Faso on Saturday, according to security and local sources.

"Overnight (Friday-Saturday) armed people attacked the village of Sara," 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Burkina's second city Bobo-Dioulasso, the security source said, adding that "unfortunately we have a dozen dead and several wounded."

"Nine bodies were buried this Saturday. But two people also died of their wounds, making a total of 11 dead," reported a villager who asked not to be named.

A second resident said the "terrorists" attacked at 8:00 pm (2000 GMT), explaining that "they opened fire on a group of people. Some were mortally wounded inside their homes and others injured."

According to another security source, a search operation was conducted in the area and "other regions targeted by armed groups" following the incident.

The army reported on Wednesday that in the east of Burkina, near Kompienga, troops who came under fire shot dead around 15 terrorists.

According to an NGO count, more than 10,000 civilians, troops, and police have died, while at least two million people have been displaced.