Burkina Faso: Gunmen ambush police vehicle near Bobo Dioulasso Aug. 17

Event

On the morning (local time) of Friday, August 17, gunmen ambushed a police vehicle on the Dédougou-Bobo road near the city of Bobo Dioulasso (Hauts-Bassins region). According to local sources, at least one person was killed and six more wounded in the incident. A heightened security presence in anticipated in the area in the coming days.

Advice

Due to the serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso - including the capital Ouagadougou - are strongly advised to be discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. A number of Western governments advise against all travel to areas within 50 km (30 mi) of the Malian border above the Dori-Niangoloko line. Nonessential travel to the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso and border regions of Tapoa province is also advised against due to unstable security conditions along the borders.