Burkina Faso: Gunmen kill 20 in Namoungou (Est region) August 7

Event

Unidentified gunmen killed at least 20 people and wounded a number of others during an attack on the village of Namoungou in Fada N'Gourma commune (Est region) at 12:00 (local time) on Friday, August 7. Assailants on motorcycles targeted those attending a cattle market in the village. Security forces have since been deployed to the area following the attack. No group has currently claimed responsibility for the incident.

Further attacks are possible in Est region over the near term.

Context

Burkina Faso declared a state of emergency in the country's border regions, including the Est region, on January 1, 2019.

Terrorism has become an increasingly severe security threat in Burkina Faso since 2015. Educational institutions, local government officials, and security forces are specifically targeted. Initially concentrated in the Sahel region, attacks have spread to other regions, including eastern Burkina Faso (Est region), which is also known for high crime rates. Attacks are usually attributed to Ansarul Islam and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Advice

Those in Burkina Faso are advised to monitor developments and associated emergency measures (e.g. curfews, state of emergency orders) and remain vigilant for criminal and militant activity.