Côte d’Ivoire: Unidentified gunmen kill 12 Ivorian soldiers in attack in Kafolo (Tchologo region) June 11

Event

Unidentified gunmen killed 12 Ivorian soldiers and injured seven others in an attack on a security outpost on the border with Burkina Faso in Kafolo (Sikolo sub-prefecture; Kong department; Tchologo region; Savanes district) on Thursday, June 11. Two other security forces members are reportedly missing, and one attacker was also killed.

On May 11, a joint security operation between Burkinabe and Ivorian forces was launched in the border region between the two countries. At least 24 suspected militants are reported to have been arrested in Burkina Faso during the operation and a further 14 on the Ivorian side of the border.

Further attacks targeting security forces are possible over the near term and further security operations are likely in the area in the medium term.

Context

There have been increasing concerns over the presence of Islamist militants in northern Cote d'Ivoire since 2019. Although the country has seen few major attacks compared to many of its neighbors in recent years, militant groups are believed to maintain a presence in areas north of the Comoé national park, close to the border with Burkina Faso. Several security operations have been launched in the region over the last year, but consular authorities continue to warn against travel to areas along the border.

Advice

Individuals in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to remain vigilant at all times, especially in areas deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (markets, places of worship, diplomatic buildings or consulates, military sites, areas heavily frequented by Westerners, etc.) and to report any suspicious items or behavior to the authorities.