Burkina Faso claims over 400 militants killed in clashes
Burkina Faso’s armed forces said on Wednesday that they had repelled coordinated attacks by armed groups on several military positions on June 30, claiming that more than 400 attackers were killed during counteroffensives supported by airstrikes, News.Az reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said the attacks targeted positions of the National Armed Forces (FAN) and the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) in the localities of Gayeri, in the Sirba Region, as well as Solhan and Sebba, in the Liptako Region.
According to the military, ground forces, supported by air assets, responded immediately to the assaults.
The army said that targeted airstrikes and ground operations “neutralized more than 400 terrorists” and led to the recovery of a large quantity of equipment, including more than 250 motorcycles, 353 weapons of various calibers, ammunition, and communications equipment.
The military also reported the deaths of three of its personnel during the fighting, including two soldiers in Solhan and one in Gayeri.
“The operations to secure the area are continuing and intensifying in order to track down those who fled and guarantee the safety of citizens,” the armed forces said, calling on residents to cooperate with security forces, comply with security measures, and report any suspicious individuals.
The statement also linked the coordinated attacks to Burkina Faso’s decision, announced a day earlier, to sever diplomatic relations with France. The military alleged that France supports the armed groups, but provided no evidence to substantiate the accusation.
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