20 Oct 2017 | 01:16 PM UTC
Burkina Faso: Militants set fire to school in Tém Oct. 20
Suspected Ansaroul Islam militants attack village of Tém, near Malian border, and set fire to a primary school October 20
Event
At least 20 assailants suspected of belonging to the terrorist group Ansaroul Islam entered the village of Tém, located 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Malian border, on Friday, October 20. The assailants fired shots into the air before setting fire to the primary school, prompting local residents to flee. No casualties have been reported.
Context
Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the volatile northern Sahel region. Terrorist attacks are usually attributed to the Ansarul Islam group, and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Meanwhile, rates of criminal violence - much of which is interlinked with terrorist activity - have also increased.
Advice
Due to serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso 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. Some Western governments advise against all travel to areas within 50 km (30 mi) of the Malian border.
On a related note, nonessential travel to the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso and border regions of Tapoa province is also advised against due to unstable security conditions.
