Ambushes leave 12 dead in Burkina Faso: local, security sources

At least 12 people were killed in an ambush by suspected jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, including 10 army auxiliary and two civilians, according to security and local reports.

“Yesterday (Saturday) morning, a food convoy escorted by volunteers for the defense of the fatherland (VDP) was the target of an ambush on the Dori-Gorgadji road,” during which “12 people were killed,” a security source said.

A local official group had confirmed to AFP that 10 backup troops had “fallen”.

Jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have regularly carried out attacks in northern and eastern Burkina Faso since 2015, killing more than 2,000 people and displacing almost two million.

Unrest linked to jihadist groups also plagues Burkina Faso’s West African neighbors Mali and Niger.

The three land-locked countries rank among the poorest in the world and their armed forces are ill-equipped against a foe skilled at hit-and-run raids, ambushes, and planting roadside bombs.

Burkina Faso established the VDP auxiliary force in December 2019, which is one of the units that has incurred the highest losses.

Recruits go through two weeks of military training before joining the army and doing surveillance, intelligence collecting, or escort responsibilities.