Al-Qaeda Affiliate Says 200 Soldiers Killed in Burkina Faso Attack

WASHINGTON, Xinhua: An al-Qaeda-affiliated group on Thursday claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a military camp in northern Burkina Faso that left 200 soldiers dead.

The attack, which took place on Sunday in the town of Djibo, also targeted a police station and a market, according to security sources cited by Reuters. Initially, the group reported killing 60 soldiers, but raised the death toll in its subsequent declaration.

The group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), made the announcement in a formal statement reported by SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S.-based organization that monitors jihadist online activity.

Satellite images reviewed by Reuters showed significant fire damage to the military base, a nearby prison, hospital and market. The government has not confirmed any casualties or issued an official statement.

JNIM has also claimed responsibility for several other recent attacks in Burkina Faso, including one in Loroum province that left dozens dead, according to SITE.

The Djibo base has come under attack multiple times, including a 2022 attack that killed 10 soldiers.