Four attacks by militants kill 30 people in Burkina Faso, claim security sources

At least 30 people were killed, which included 16 supporters of the army, in the four attacks suspected to have been carried out by militants inBurkina Faso, stated security sources on Friday.The four attacks took place in the West African nation on Thursday. The attacks were the latest to target a civilian auxiliary force, which supports the military in the seven-year-long fight against militants, in the country's north and northwest.

Burkina Faso, a landlocked country, is amongthe most volatile and poor nations in the world.

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The country has been facing insurgency since 2015 which is led by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda and has resulted in the displacement of around two million people and the killing of around tens of thousands.

The "first attack targeted an advance party of Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP) in Rakoegtenga", a town which lies in the northern province of Bam, said a VDP official.

The official further confirmed that one woman and six auxiliaries were killed in the attack.

Almost 10 people suffered injuries, which included some seriously injured people, who were "evacuated to Ouagadougou for appropriate care," said the VDP official.

He added that around 10 auxiliaries and one person were killed in the second attack which took place in the northwest's Nyala province "in the afternoon when a convoy escorted by auxiliaries and soldiers was ambushed on the Siena-Saran road".

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The security officials confirmed two "militant attacks", however, refused to give any precise death toll, as they only mentioned "a number of losses".

Meanwhile, two other incidents linked to armed jihadist groups were recorded on Thursday, according to other security sources. In the north-central province of Sanmatenga, a joint military and VDP team was targeted in Zincko, one of the sources said.

"About 10 terrorists were neutralised (killed). Unfortunately, four civilians were also killed," the source added.

Later in the evening, gunmen raided the town of Sanaba in Banwa province, killing eight civilians.

Established in December 2019, the VDP includes civilian volunteers who are given military training of two weeks and then these volunteers work alongside the army, carrying out escort duties, information-gathering and surveillance.

(With inputs from agencies)

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