Horrifying new details are emerging about the August 24 terror attack in the African nation of Burkina Faso. Earlier reports put the death toll at 300, but French security officials are now stating that the death toll is much higher, with over 600 people having died.
French government security assessment contends that more than 600 people were shot and killed in the August 24 terror attack, making it one of the deadliest killings in recent African history.
Over 600 Killed in Burkina Faso Terror Attack on August 24
The attack occurred in Barsalogho, a small town in northern Burkina Faso, and was carried out by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which is affiliated with al-Qaeda. Most of the victims were villagers who were digging trenches on the outskirts of the city to defend it.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed that they targeted only military personnel, but videos on social media and other platforms reveal that most of the victims were innocent civilians, who can be seen lying helpless in the trenches they had created.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is an extremist organization active in the Sahel region and has carried out numerous attacks in the area.
The attacks have increased in recent times following the departure of many foreign forces, including those from France and the USA, after coups and popular unrest in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Russian mercenary groups were also active in the region but have since withdrawn after deteriorating security, and many have returned to Russia to fight in the Ukrainian conflict.
JNIM, an extremist group active in the Sahel region, has been a dominant force behind many violent attacks in recent years.
The group has capitalized on the increasing instability in the region, especially as international forces like the U.S. and French militaries have been forced to withdraw following political unrest, including a series of coups.
The nation’s army is unable to contain these extremist groups and has suffered massive casualties. Two weeks before the massacre, a military convoy was attacked in the nearby village of Tawori, leading to the death of over 150 soldiers.
On September 17, an attack in the capital city of the nearby nation, Mali, Bamako, killed over 70 people.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is an al-Qaeda affiliated militant organization that has been active in Mali and Burkina Faso.
The militants from the organization swept into the outskirts of Barsalogho on motorcycles and opened indiscriminate fire on the villagers who were digging trenches around the village.
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