10 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The Burkina Faso authorities have announced the death of “numerous” terrorists and the destruction of their equipment in a series of bombardments carried out near the border with Mali, after the murder of more than 40 people in attacks carried out last week in the north of the country.
Security sources quoted by the Burkinabe state news agency, AIB, have indicated that the bombardments were carried out on Sunday against areas to which the suspects had withdrawn in recent weeks.
Thus, they have stated that the security forces have “neutralized” other suspects and seized material in operations carried out by land with the aim of “reconquering territorial integrity and restoring peace.”
Burkinabe forces have increased anti-terrorist operations in recent weeks, especially in the north and east of the country. The head of the military junta, Ibrahim Traoré, stressed at the end of March that the authorities are working “for the reconquest of the territory” and “the return of peace.”
Burkina Faso has seen a sharp increase in jihadist attacks in recent years, the work of both al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates in the region. Abuses by the security forces against the population have helped these groups in their recruitment efforts.
