Burkina Faso: Militants kill at least seven in attack on military patrol in Gourma Province April 5

Event

Unidentified militants killed at least seven people, including three gendarmes and four members of a government-backed defense group, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), in Gourma Province, April 5. Assailants reportedly ambushed the military patrol in the town of Tanwalbougou. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants operate in the region. Further attacks on security personnel across the country are likely.

Context

Militants typically attack security facilities and patrols in remote locations near the borders. Attacks on civilian and security targets have spread to previously unaffected areas despite increased security operations by government forces in recent years. Militant groups have repeatedly targeted schools, religious sites, government offices, and security checkpoints.