AFRICA

Burkina Faso Horror: 223 Civilians, Including Babies, Slain by Military Forces

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

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Matt Gaetz To Exit Congress Following Withdrawal As DOJ Nominee Amid Controversy

Matt Gaetz has said he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s DOJ…

46 mins ago

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…

56 mins ago

Netanyahu Risks Arrest in UK as ICC Issues Warrant Against Him For War Crimes

Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…

4 hours ago

Second Australian Teen Dies from Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…

4 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Arrested, Denies Being IPOB Leader + Atiku Says Tinubu’s Loans Are Bone-Crushing – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…

4 hours ago

Gatwick Airport South Terminal Evacuated, Bomb Disposal Team Deployed Suspicious Item Found In Luggage

Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated after a suspected prohibited item was found, prompting bomb…

4 hours ago