In an attack on the northern city of Djibo on Monday, the army said that at least 10 Burkinabe troops were killed and another 50 others were hurt.
The “terrorist attack” hit the 14th regiment at a base in Djibo, which has been under an insurgent blockade for three months, the army said.
“The preliminary toll is 10 soldiers fallen during fighting and about 50 injured and being treated,” the statement said.
“On the enemy side, at least 18 bodies of terrorists have been counted during mopping-up operations which are still underway.”
To support the operations, air support had been requested. News reporters were informed by a security source that shells had been launched at the Djibo barracks by the daybreak intruders.
“Other strategic installations in the town were also targeted,” the source added.
The 30,000 people living in Djibo have been shut off for three months because jihadis have taken control of the main highways after blowing up bridges.
On September 26, a supply convoy headed for Djibo was attacked, killing 37 people, 27 of them were troops. There are still 70 truck drivers missing.
Four days after the incident, young army commander Ibrahim Traore conducted the most recent coup in Burkina. On October 14, he took office as provisional president and vowed to retake territory from the insurgents.
“We are confronted with a security and humanitarian crisis without precedent,” Traore said at his swearing-in.
“Our aims are none other than the reconquest of territory occupied by these hordes of terrorists. Burkina’s existence is in danger.”
Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Burkina Faso’s last elected president, was overthrown by Traore when he overthrew Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who had seized control in January.
Anger over the failure to end a seven-year insurgency that has cost thousands of lives and forced close to 2 million people from their homes served as the driving force for both coups.
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