Over 600 civilians killed by Al-Qaeda linked group within hours in Burkina Faso massacre

In what could be considered as one of the worst attacks in recent years in Africa, around 600 were killed within hours by a militant group by an Al Qaeda-linked militants in Burkina Faso, CNN reported citing a French government security assessment. The attack took place in the town of Barsalogho on August 24, making it one of Africa’s deadliest events in recent decades.

The armed group known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) opened fire methodically as they swept into the outskirts of Barsalogho on motorcycles and shot down villagers. Civilians, including women and children, were targeted while they attempted to dig trenches to protect their town. Videos posted online by pro-JNIM accounts show militants on motorcycles shooting villagers who tried to play dead.

Initial estimates from the United Nations put the death toll at 200, while JNIM claimed responsibility for 300 deaths. However, CNN, citing a French government security assessment, reported that up to 600 people were shot dead in the attack.


The group stated that its primary targets were militia members allied with the army, not civilians. "Those who were eliminated in this attack are nothing but militias affiliated with the Burkinabe army…not as they lied and said that they were civilians," JNIM commented in a communique translated by Site Intelligence Group, as reported by Reuters.

A French official described a worsening security situation in Burkina Faso. “Armed-terrorist groups are enjoying increasing freedom of action because security forces are unable to cope,” the official said to CNN.

Eyewitness said that the massacre followed military orders for locals to build a trench network around the town. Survivors recounted attempts to hide from the attackers. One survivor noted, "There was actually blood everywhere on my way. There was screaming everywhere. I got down on my stomach under a bush, until later in the afternoon, hiding."

Another survivor stated that two family members died in the attack. "They killed people all day long. For three days we were collecting bodies - scattered everywhere. Fear got into our hearts," she said.

The event underlines the ongoing security challenges in Burkina Faso, with local communities severely impacted by militant violence.

Members connected to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have killed about 3,800 people this year, reports the ACLED analysis group. ACLED tracks global conflict and provided these figures.

The conflict in Burkina Faso began in 2015. Since then, more than 20,000 people have died, and over two million people have been displaced.