At least 15 security force members have lost their lives in a deadly attack in Burkina Faso’s Centre-North region, according to security sources.
The attack was carried out on Wednesday by unidentified armed assailants, who targeted soldiers and army auxiliaries guarding water pipes that were frequently destroyed by jihadist groups.
The Centre-North region is known for its high levels of terrorist activity linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and insurgents have been known to mine roads, besiege towns, wreck water facilities, and prevent the delivery of essential supplies to trapped civilians.
The Burkina Faso government has yet to respond to the attack. The Sahel region south of the Sahara has been struggling with violent Islamist groups that have taken root in neighboring Mali and spread across the region over the past decade. As a result, thousands of people have been killed, and over two million have been displaced.
The failure of authorities to restore security has led to two military coups in Burkina Faso and two in Mali since 2020. The incidents reflect mounting frustrations among citizens who have been calling for more effective measures to combat the growing threat of terrorism.
The attack in the Centre-North region underscores the need for a more robust and coordinated response to counter-terrorism across West Africa.
It highlights the urgent need for better-equipped and trained security forces, as well as measures to address the root causes of extremism, including poverty, social inequality, and governance issues.
