The Tactics Institute for Security and Counter-Terrorism expresses grave concern over the recent upsurge in jihadist violence in Burkina Faso. In a devastating assault, up to 600 civilians were killed in a matter of hours by militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). It is an al Qaeda affiliate active in the Sahel region. This attack is described as one of the deadliest in Africa in recent decades. It has plunged Burkina Faso into a deeper state of insecurity.
The assault on Barsalogho saw militants methodically open fire on civilians, including women and children. The scale of the attack has led to widespread condemnation, with the French government now estimating the death toll at 600, nearly double initial reports. Burkina Faso has experienced a sharp increase in militant attacks.
The Tactics Institute warns that the rise in militant activity, fueled by the growing influence of groups like JNIM and the Islamic State in the Sahel, poses a significant risk not only to Burkina Faso but to the entire region. French and U.S. forces, once instrumental in counterterrorism efforts, have withdrawn from the region following military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The Tactics Institute strongly condemns the actions of JNIM and other militant groups that are responsible for this massacre and ongoing atrocities against civilians. These acts constitute war crimes, and there must be accountability for those responsible. The international community cannot stand by as innocent lives are lost in such heinous attacks. Urgent action is needed to restore security in Burkina Faso and prevent the further spread of jihadist influence.
The attack in Barsalogho and other recent incidents highlight the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Tactics Institute calls for immediate international intervention to provide support to Burkina Faso and other affected nations in the Sahel. Without coordinated military, humanitarian, and diplomatic efforts, the region faces a future of increasing lawlessness, mass displacement, and violent extremism.
