ALBAWABA- Militants claimed to be linked to al-Qaeda's affiliate have claimed responsibility for a devastating attack that left nearly 300 people dead and 140 injured in the town of Barsalogho, Burkina Faso.
The massacre, which is believed to be the country's deadliest terrorist attack to date, occurred as civilians and soldiers were digging trenches to defend the town from advancing jihadist forces.
Barsalogho, located near the strategic town of Kaya in north-central Burkina Faso, was overrun by JNIM fighters on Saturday. The city serves as a critical defense point, housing the last remaining military force between the jihadists and the capital, Ouagadougou.
Among those killed were women, children, and several soldiers, with many more reported missing.
According to reports, Burkina Faso's military government had anticipated the possibility of an attack and urged civilians to assist the army in digging trenches as a protective barrier.
Despite fears of reprisal attacks, trench-digging efforts were underway when the jihadists struck, opening fire on those involved.
Videos posted online by JNIM fighters show dozens of bodies, mostly young men, lying in the trenches alongside shovels, a grim testament to the brutal nature of the assault.
The attackers reportedly seized weapons and a military ambulance during the attack.
The Burkinabe military junta has not officially released a death toll, but the country's security minister, Mahamadou Sana, condemned the attack, stating, "We are not going to accept such barbarity on our territory."
Burkina Faso, a nation already reeling from increasing jihadist violence, has seen nearly half of its territory fall out of government control. The country’s ruler, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, who rose to power with promises to defeat jihadist groups, continues to face large-scale attacks despite his efforts.
Drone and missile attack on northern Israel during visit of Israeli and American military chiefsThis latest attack underscores the severe challenges facing Burkina Faso, as jihadist violence linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over two million people.
Just two weeks prior, militants killed more than 140 Burkinabe soldiers in an ambush in Gourma Province, highlighting the ongoing struggle to maintain security in the region.
