The European Union has condemned a deadly attack claimed by rebels in Burkina Faso that occurred last weekend. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, issued a statement denouncing the violence that took place in the village of Barsalogho in north-central Burkina Faso on Saturday. The attack resulted in numerous casualties among both civilians and security personnel.
The assault was claimed by a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, known by its initials JNIM, which has been active in the Sahel region since 2015. According to local sources, the attackers were armed men who inflicted heavy casualties and wounded many others.
In his statement, Borrell condemned the attack in Barsalogho in the strongest terms, noting that the incident resulted in “hundreds of victims, primarily civilians.” He extended the EU’s solidarity to Burkina Faso, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
The ongoing insurgency by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates has also affected neighbouring Mali and Niger, causing widespread death and displacement across the region. Borrell expressed the EU’s “strong concern” over the deteriorating security situation and urged measures to prevent further escalation of violence.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the attacks, according to his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric. The military-led Burkinabe authorities have yet to provide an official death toll and have ceased reporting civilian and military casualties from attacks over the past year.
However, a victims’ advocacy group reported at least 400 deaths, with some members aiding in mass burials containing “more than 100 bodies.” A survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that she had lost her husband and brother-in-law and that burial efforts are still ongoing. Additionally, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Burkina Faso, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, confirmed that two humanitarian workers were among those killed.