Kourakou and Tondobi attacks

In early April 2023, jihadists killed at least 44 civilians in the towns of Kourakou and Tondobi in Séno Province, Sahel Region, Burkina Faso.[1][2]

Kourakou and Tondobi attacks
Part of the jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso
LocationKourakou and Tondobi, Séno Province, Burkina Faso
DateApril 6–7, 2023
DeathsTotal: 44
Kourakou: 31
Tondobi: 13
InjuredUnknown
PerpetratorUnknown armed groups

Background

Since 2015, northern Burkina Faso has been embroiled in a jihadist insurgency that has spread from the neighboring country of Mali.[1][3] The attacks have been conducted by jihadists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. According to estimates from NGOs, the campaign by these jihadists has resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 civilians, soldiers, and police, as well as the displacement of at least 2,000,000 people. According to official data, jihadist organisations are thought to govern 40% of the country.[2][4]

Séno Province, in Sahel Region, has been at the forefront of many attacks.[5] The deadliest attack occurred in June 2022 in the village of Seytenga, where over 100 civilians were killed. Another deadly attack occurred in February 2023, when at least 25 civilians, including three police officers, were killed in an attack by unknown jihadists.[6] Kourakou and Tondobi are not far from Seytenga.[7]

Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrew the government in a coup in September 2022. Burkina Faso's new military head pledged to intensify a "dynamic offensive" against the jihadists. The region's lieutenant-governor gave assurances that efforts were being made to calm the region.[7]

Attacks

The attacks in Kourakou and Tondobi were reprisal killings that were retaliation for villagers in the towns lynching two jihadists who had been stealing cattle.[7] A resident of Kourakou speaking to AFP stated that gunfire rang "all night long", and that villagers were unable to safely view the ensuing carnage until the following morning.[8] Thirty-one civilians were killed in Kourakou, and 13 were killed in Tondobi.[9] Both civilians and lieutenant-governor Rodolphe Sorgho said that there were scores of injured, but the number was unknown.[10]

Aftermath

Rodolphe Sorgho, lieutenant-governor of the Sahel region, claimed that the perpetrators were "put out of action" following the "despicable terrorist attack."[7] Burkinabe forces launched operations to find the perpetrators after the attack.[10]

See also

References
  1. Burkina Faso: At least 44 killed in attacks, Sky News
  2. "'Barbaric' attacks leave 44 civilians dead in Burkina Faso". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 8 April 2023.
  3. Ehlinger, Maija; Ataman, Joseph (April 9, 2023). "At least 44 killed in Burkina Faso attacks". CNN. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. "44 killed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack: Governor". The News International.
  5. AfricaNews (2020-02-07). "Surge in armed extremists displaces thousands in Burkina Faso". Africanews. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  6. "At least 25 killed in Burkina Faso attack in Seno province". bdnews24.com. Reuters. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  7. "Dozens killed in 'barbaric' Burkina Faso attacks". BBC News. 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  8. "Burkina Faso: Dozens dead in suspected terrorist attack – DW – 04/08/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  9. "'Terrorist' Attacks Kill 44 in Burkina Faso". VOA. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  10. "Africa Media Review for April 10, 2023". Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
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