35 Killed in Burkina Faso Attacks

Government officials have confirmed that a group of gunmen has killed at least 35 people in two villages in Burkina Faso.

The first attack took place on Saturday, 30 May, at a village located in the eastern province of Kompienga.

According to reports, the gunmen opened fire at a cattle market, killing 25 civilians. That same day, they targeted a humanitarian convoy travelling from Foube in northern Sanmatenga – five civilians and five military police officials were killed.

Although an anonymous eyewitness asserted that the culprits were members of the national military, an army official – also anonymous – has categorically denied the claim.

At this stage, it is not clear who orchestrated these deadly attacks. However, Burkina Faso has recently seen a surge of terrorist acts being carried out by Islamist groups – with close ties to the terrorist organisation, al Qaeda – against civilian and military targets.

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