Militants in Burkina Faso on Tuesday launched a deadly attack on a town killing 35 civilians.
Local officials say 31 of those killed were women while another seven soldiers were killed in another attack on a military base.
80 militants were also killed by the army while repelling Tuesday’s attack in Arbinda, northern Soum province.
No group has claimed responsibility yet for the attack which lasted for several hours, according to military officials.
Burkina Faso’s President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has declared two days of national mourning.
Government spokesman Remis Dandjinou told the AFP news agency that “In their flight, the terrorists cowardly murdered 35 civilians, including 31 women, and injured six people.”
Burkina Faso has in recent months witnessed deadly attacks carried out by jihadists.
Earlier this month gunmen opened fire on worshipers at a church killing at least 14 people.
Local media reported that the victims were attending a service at a church in Hantoukoura, in the eastern part of the country.
The gunmen carried out the attack, “executing the faithful including the pastor and children”.
Jihadist attacks since 2015 have displaced many and heightened tension and insecurity in Burkina Faso.
In August this year an attack carried out by gunmen led to the death of 24 soldiers. The country’s fight against Islamist militants however seems to be struggling to succeed.
Source: Africafeeds.com
