Burkina Faso Convoy Ambush: Civilian Deaths and Injuries Reported

An ambush by suspected jihadists on a military convoy in Burkina Faso resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. The incident occurred in the village of Tawori, part of the ongoing jihadist insurgency affecting the Sahel region. Regional Governor Ram Joseph Kafando praised the medical staff attending to the wounded.

Suspected jihadists ambushed a military convoy carrying more than 1,000 civilians in Burkina Faso last week, leading to civilian deaths and injuries, as reported by the regional governor in a statement released on Wednesday. The ambush occurred on Aug. 9 in the village of Tawori, located in the eastern Sahel region, according to Governor Ram Joseph Kafando.

Governor Kafando, who visited the wounded in a hospital on Tuesday, did not specify the number of injured or if any soldiers were among the casualties. He commended the hospital's medical staff for their 'titanic job' in treating the victims.

The incident is part of a broader jihadist insurgency affecting Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—an issue that has persisted in the Sahel region since it began in Mali 12 years ago. This ongoing violence, which has led to thousands of deaths and millions displaced, has also contributed to multiple coups in the region's countries since 2020.

Despite promises from the current military juntas in these nations to curb the insurgency, the violence has continued unabated.

(With inputs from agencies.)