At Least 50 Soldiers Killed in Deadly Attack on Military Base in Northern Burkina Faso

At least 50 soldiers were killed in a violent attack by suspected JNIM militants on a military base in northern Burkina Faso, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with insurgent violence and instability.

At least 50 soldiers have been killed following a fierce assault on a military base in the northern town of Dargo, local sources report, as Burkina Faso continues to grapple with rising insurgent violence.

According to eyewitness accounts, approximately 100 militants launched a coordinated attack on the base, overwhelming the troops, killing personnel, looting military supplies, and setting the compound ablaze. The jihadist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is widely suspected to be responsible for the assault.

The attack forms part of an intensifying wave of violence sweeping the region, where armed extremist groups have gained control over large swathes of the rural north and west. This persistent instability has severely undermined security and development efforts in the country.

Since 2022, Burkina Faso has experienced two military coups and a reshuffling of its leadership in a bid to counter the worsening security crisis. However, interim President Ibrahim Traoré has so far struggled to contain the extremist advance and restore order.

The assault in Dargo is among the deadliest in recent months and highlights the ongoing challenges facing the Burkinabé military as it battles entrenched insurgency and limited resources.

International partners have expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, calling for renewed support to help Burkina Faso regain control of its territory and protect civilians caught in the conflict.

As the government mobilises a response, the fate of the region’s residents remains uncertain amid fears of further attacks and displacement.