Trench Tragedy: Burkina Faso Civilians Caught in Crossfire

Burkina Faso's Prime Minister revealed that hundreds of civilians were killed by Islamist militants while digging defensive trenches on army orders. The victims were deceived into participating, and protective measures were not upheld. The attack marked a significant setback for the junta, sparking public outcry and calls for accountability.

Burkina Faso's Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that scores of civilians were killed by Islamist militants while executing army orders to dig defensive trenches, without adequate protection measures in place. Relatives of the victims, who were attacked on August 24 in Barsalogho, report that 400 people were shot dead, despite some participating against their will. Other estimates suggest a lower death toll.

This attack is considered one of the worst in Burkina Faso's history, and poses a significant challenge to the junta, which took power in September 2022 vowing to curb an ongoing insurgency originating from Mali in 2015. Speaking at a ceremony in Ouagadougou, Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela called the event a tragedy borne out of deception.

"Why were the necessary instructions for protecting the population during mobilizations not respected?" asked Tambela. Authorities have provided limited details about the attack, leading to public outrage. They confirmed that civilians, soldiers, and volunteer auxiliaries were among the dead, but withheld exact numbers. Al Qaeda affiliate JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack and warned civilians against supporting the army's fight against the insurgents.

The junta has heavily relied on civilian volunteers since May 2022 to aid in digging trenches around towns and villages. However, insecurity has heightened, resulting in increased civilian casualties, partly due to retribution from militants. Sources indicate that trench digging raised concerns of provoking jihadists, who have kept the town under blockade for over two years. The United Nations estimated around 200 fatalities while JNIM claimed to have killed nearly 300 "fighters."

(With inputs from agencies.)