223 civilians including babies and many children have been killed by military forces in Burkina Faso in attacks on two villages suspected of collaborating with militants, according to a report released Thursday by Human Rights Watch.
The deadly attacks occurred on February 25 in the northern villages of Nondin and Soro, with 56 children among the victims, as outlined in the report. Human Rights Watch has urged the United Nations and the African Union to deploy investigators and bolster local initiatives aimed at holding accountable those responsible for these atrocities.
“The massacres in Nondin and Soro villages are just the latest mass killings of civilians by the Burkina Faso military in their counterinsurgency operations”, stated Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan in a press release.
He stressed that international assistance is “critical” to facilitate a credible investigation into potential crimes against humanity.
Burkina Faso, once known for its tranquillity, has been plagued by violence as jihadist factions affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group clash with government-backed forces. Both sides have targeted civilians caught in the crossfire, leading to the displacement of over 2 million people, with children accounting for more than half. Due to the nation’s repressive regime and the suppression of dissenting voices, many attacks go unaddressed and unreported.
More than 20,000 individuals have lost their lives in Burkina Faso since jihadist violence associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group erupted in the West African nation nine years ago, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Following two coups in 2022, the junta led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, which seized power in September of that year, pledged to combat militants. However, analysts note that violence has only escalated since then, with roughly half of Burkina Faso’s territory remaining beyond the government’s control.
Frustrated by the perceived lack of progress despite years of Western military assistance, the junta has severed military ties with former colonial power France and turned to Russia for security support instead.
Melissa Enoch
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