In a recent report released by Human Rights Watch, it was revealed that Burkina Faso's government put civilians at unnecessary risk during a militant attack earlier this year. The attack, carried out by a militant group associated with al-Qaida, resulted in the tragic deaths of over 100 villagers in central Burkina Faso in August. The incident, which took place in the Barsalogho commune located 80 kilometers from the capital Ouagadougou, saw villagers being forced to assist security forces in digging trenches to fortify security outposts and villages.
According to the report, fighters from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin group launched a deadly assault on the area, targeting the villagers who were aiding the security forces. The militant group claimed responsibility for the attack and alleged that the villagers were affiliated with militias supporting Burkina Faso.
