By Faith Nyasuguta
Some 47 people, among them 30 civilians have died in Nothern Burkina Faso in a conflict between government forces and Islamist militants.
The ministry of communication announced that another 19 people were left with major injuries after the alleged jihadists ambushed a military convoy escorting civilians on Wednesday.
The ministry confirmed that some 14 army officers and three volunteers hailing from the Défense de la Patrie militia were also killed.
In retaliation, the military said that state troops had “neutralized” some 58 militants and wounded so many of them without specifying the figures.
For six years now, Burkina Faso has been a target of attacks that have led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of internally displaced persons.
Because of the violence, over 17,000 people have left the country just in 2021, according to the United Nations.
Two weeks ago, armed groups attacked northern Burkina Faso villages where they killed 30 people, stole their cattle, and set their houses on fire.
In June this year, the northern village of Solhan was also ambushed with one of the greatest attacks leaving 138 people dead.
Local sources said the death toll hit 160.
