Al-Qaeda Affiliate Claims Responsibility for Attack Killing 200 Soldiers in Burkina Faso

An al-Qaeda-linked militant group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a military base in Burkina Faso’s northern town of Djibo, reportedly killing 200 soldiers. This claim was made through a formal statement tracked by the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, an NGO that monitors the online activities of armed groups. The attack, which occurred on a Sunday morning, also targeted a local police station and a market. While the Burkina Faso government has not issued an official casualty count, local residents and security sources reported heavy losses, including both military personnel and civilians.

JNIM’s statement comes amid a marked increase in their activities across the region over the past month, with numerous casualties resulting from escalating violence. SITE Intelligence noted that JNIM has become increasingly active, carrying out coordinated attacks with significant impacts. One of the group’s leaders, Ousmane Dicko, was previously seen in a video urging residents of Djibo to evacuate for their own safety. The group has also used social media to warn civilians to leave their homes, threatening to take over more territories—indicating a shift in their strategy from attacking isolated villages to attempting to capture entire towns.

This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in Burkina Faso’s ongoing conflict with Islamist militants. It undermines recent claims by the country’s military ruler, Ibrahim Traore, who has stated that government forces are regaining control and encouraging displaced citizens to return to their homes. The scale and timing of the attack present a major setback to those claims and reveal the government’s ongoing struggle to maintain security and control.

In addition to the Djibo assault, JNIM has also claimed responsibility for another attack this week on a military post in the Loroum province in northern Burkina Faso. According to SITE Intelligence, the group claimed to have killed 60 soldiers in that operation. Another significant attack took place in the town of Sole, where JNIM fighters raided a military post and reportedly killed additional troops. However, SITE did not specify the exact date of the Sole attack.

These coordinated assaults highlight the serious challenges facing Burkina Faso and its Sahelian neighbors, Mali and Niger, all of which are currently governed by military regimes. Despite taking power through coups with promises to restore security, these governments have struggled to suppress the spread of armed Islamist insurgencies. In Burkina Faso, which has been under military rule since 2022, more than 60% of the territory is believed to be outside government control. This loss of territorial integrity has made it increasingly difficult to protect civilians and restore order.

The timing of the Djibo attack is also significant, as it coincided with President Traore's visit to Russia, where he sought military training and arms support from President Vladimir Putin to strengthen his country's defense capabilities. These developments underline the urgency and complexity of the security crisis in the Sahel region, where jihadist groups continue to expand their influence despite international and domestic efforts to contain them.