Ten soldiers and 32 civilian auxiliaries of the Burkina Faso army were killed Saturday and Sunday in two attacks in the north of the country, which has declared a “general mobilization” against violence by Islamic fundamentalist groups.
On Saturday, a “military and Volunteer Detachment for the Defense of the Homeland [VDP, auxiliares civis do exército] was the object of an attack by unidentified armed men” around 4:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. in Lisbon), near Aorema, about 15 kilometers from Ouahigouya, capital of the North region, according to a statement from the authorities , released on Sunday.
The army stated that “the death toll is 40 fighters” – “eight soldiers and 32 VDP” – adding that “at least 50 terrorists” were “neutralized” in “response”, particularly by air.
On Sunday morning, “another attack targeted the Kongoussi military detachment, in the province of Bam, in the Center-North region,” the same source said, reporting that “two soldiers” were killed and “about 20 terrorists neutralized.” ”.
Authorities said in the statement that “33 wounded” from the first attack were “in stable condition” and “being treated at the Ouahigouya regional university hospital.” The army further wrote that “two wounded” from the second attack were also “taken for treatment”.
According to a security source contacted by the France-Presse news agency, the detachment that was the target of Saturday’s attack guaranteed “the security of the Ouahigouya airfield, which was attacked.”
“Violent fighting took place yesterday [sábado] at night” for “almost two hours,” said a resident of the city.
The man also said that “several airstrikes hit the positions of suspects” linked to Islamic fundamentalist groups on Friday.
Source: TSF
