An attack on a mosque in eastern Burkina Faso on Monday (Feb 26) claimed the lives of dozens of Muslims, following another deadly attack on Catholics attending mass, reported news agency AFP citing security sources.

"Armed individuals attacked a mosque in Natiaboani on Sunday around 5&nbsp;am, resulting in several dozen being killed," a security source said.&nbsp;

"The victims were all Muslims, most of them men" who had come for morning prayers, a local resident said by telephone.

"The terrorists entered the town early morning. They surrounded the mosque and shot at the faithful, who were gathered there for the first prayer of the day," another local source said according to AFP.

"Several of them were shot, including an important religious leader," the source added.

WATCH | ECOWAS asks Niger, Mali &amp; Burkina Faso to rejoin bloc

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According to the sources the attack targeted the members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), which is a civilian force that backs the armed forces in the country.

In terms of the number of attackers and the extent of the damage they caused, the source described it as a "large-scale attack".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/babies-are-already-dying-aid-worker-warns-of-dire-consequences-as-sudan-blocks-cross-border-aid-to-darfur-693820">'Babies are already dying': Aid worker warns of dire consequences as Sudan blocks cross-border aid to Darfur</a>

<h2>At least 15 worshippers killed in attack on Church</h2>

Hours before the mosque attack, at least 15 civilians were killed and two others were wounded in a "terrorist" attack on a Catholic church during Sunday mass in northern Burkina Faso.

"We bring to your attention a terrorist attack which the Catholic community of Essakane village was the victim of today, February 25, while they were gathered for Sunday prayer," the vicar of the Dori diocese, Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, said in a statement.

Sawadogo denounced "those who continue to wreak death and desolation in our country," and called for peace and security in the country.

The village of Essakane is located in the northeast of the country, close to the shared borders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This area is referred to as the "three borders" zone.

(With inputs from agencies)

An attack on a mosque in eastern Burkina Faso on Monday (Feb 26) claimed the lives of dozens of Muslims, following another deadly attack on Catholics attending mass, reported news agency AFP citing security sources.

An attack on a mosque in eastern Burkina Faso on Monday (Feb 26) claimed the lives of dozens of Muslims, following another deadly attack on Catholics attending mass, reported news agency AFP citing security sources. "Armed individuals attacked a mosque in Natiaboani on Sunday around 5 am, resulting in several dozen being killed," a security source said. "The victims were all Muslims, most of them men" who had come for morning prayers, a local resident said by telephone. "The terrorists entered the town early morning. They surrounded the mosque and shot at the faithful, who were gathered there for the first prayer of the day," another local source said according to AFP. "Several of them were shot, including an important religious leader," the source added. WATCH | ECOWAS asks Niger, Mali & Burkina Faso to rejoin bloc × According to the sources the attack targeted the members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), which is a civilian force that backs the armed forces in the country. In terms of the number of attackers and the extent of the damage they caused, the source described it as a "large-scale attack". Also read: 'Babies are already dying': Aid worker warns of dire consequences as Sudan blocks cross-border aid to Darfur At least 15 worshippers killed in attack on Church Hours before the mosque attack, at least 15 civilians were killed and two others were wounded in a "terrorist" attack on a Catholic church during Sunday mass in northern Burkina Faso. "We bring to your attention a terrorist attack which the Catholic community of Essakane village was the victim of today, February 25, while they were gathered for Sunday prayer," the vicar of the Dori diocese, Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, said in a statement. Sawadogo denounced "those who continue to wreak death and desolation in our country," and called for peace and security in the country. The village of Essakane is located in the northeast of the country, close to the shared borders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This area is referred to as the "three borders" zone. (With inputs from agencies)

Assailants kill dozens in attacks on mosque and church in Burkina Faso

An attack by unidentified assailants left at least 34 civilian volunteers and six soldiers dead on Sunday, the local government said in a statement. The attack was supposedly carried out by jihadists in northern Burkina Faso. A detachment of soldiers and civilian volunteers "was the target of an attack by unidentified armed men on Saturday at about 4 pm,"&nbsp;the statement said.&nbsp;

The attack happened in the village of Aorema near the town of Ouahigouya, not far from the border with Mali. This area is overrun by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that have been repeatedly carrying out attacks in the region.

There is no confirmation of who was behind the attack. The latest attack in Burkina Faso comes nine days after gunmen killed 44 people in the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi in the north of the West African country.

Civilians are being encouraged by the government to join local defence forces to try and control eight years of violence in which thousands of people have died and millions have been forced to flee their homes.

The country saw two coups last year by the military which stresses that it will retake control of the country.

The region has been marred by violence since 2012 when Islamists hijacked a Tuareg separatist uprising in Mali. The violence later spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger and threatens to destabilise coastal countries further afield.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An attack by unidentified assailants left at least 34 civilian volunteers and six soldiers dead on Sunday, the local government said in a statement. The attack was supposedly carried out by jihadists in northern Burkina Faso.

An attack by unidentified assailants left at least 34 civilian volunteers and six soldiers dead on Sunday, the local government said in a statement. The attack was supposedly carried out by jihadists in northern Burkina Faso. A detachment of soldiers and civilian volunteers "was the target of an attack by unidentified armed men on Saturday at about 4 pm," the statement said. The attack happened in the village of Aorema near the town of Ouahigouya, not far from the border with Mali. This area is overrun by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that have been repeatedly carrying out attacks in the region. There is no confirmation of who was behind the attack. The latest attack in Burkina Faso comes nine days after gunmen killed 44 people in the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi in the north of the West African country. Civilians are being encouraged by the government to join local defence forces to try and control eight years of violence in which thousands of people have died and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The country saw two coups last year by the military which stresses that it will retake control of the country. The region has been marred by violence since 2012 when Islamists hijacked a Tuareg separatist uprising in Mali. The violence later spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger and threatens to destabilise coastal countries further afield. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Attack on army & volunteers leaves 40 dead in Burkina Faso

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Assailants kill dozens in attacks on mosque and church in Burkina Faso

Attack on army & volunteers leaves 40 dead in Burkina Faso