BRUSSELS, Belgium: The European Union condemned a recent jihadist attack in Burkina Faso that killed dozens of civilians and security personnel in the village of Barsalogho.
The attack, carried out on Saturday by armed men, has been claimed by Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed strong disapproval of the attack, which left “hundreds of victims, mainly civilians,” and offered condolences to the families affected.
The insurgency by jihadist groups, including those linked to Al-Qaeda and Daesh, has destabilized Burkina Faso and its neighboring countries, Mali and Niger, causing thousands of deaths and displacing millions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack, highlighting the growing security crisis in the Sahel region.
While the Burkinabe military authorities have not released official casualty figures, a victims’ group has reported “at least 400 dead,” with mass graves containing over 100 bodies. Additionally, two humanitarian workers were among those killed, further underscoring the dire humanitarian situation. The EU and the UN have called for intensified efforts to prevent further violence in the region.
