Dozens killed in attacks on mosque, church in Burkina Faso

WORLD, Feb.26 (YPA) –  Dozens of people were killed in two separate attacks on a mosque and a church Burkina Faso on Sunday, French Press Agency reported on Monday, citing security and local sources.

A security source stated, “Armed individuals attacked a mosque in Natiaboni on Sunday at 5 a.m. (local time and Greenwich Mean Time), resulting in the deaths of dozens.” A resident confirmed via phone that “all the victims are Muslims, most of them men who had gathered at the mosque for prayers.”

Another local source clarified that the gunmen “entered the city early in the morning, surrounded the mosque, and then opened fire on the worshipers who were there to perform prayers. Several of them were killed by gunfire, including a prominent religious scholar.”

The same source added that “military personnel and volunteers (civilian helpers to the army) were also targeted by these hordes, who came in large numbers,” noting a “major attack” due to the number of attackers who also caused significant material damage.

Church Attack

On the same day as the mosque attack, at least 15 people were killed and two injured by gunmen during a Mass at a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso, according to the prosecutor for the Diocese of Dori, Father Jean-Pierre Sawadogo.

Several other attacks occurred yesterday, notably against the Tankwal military camp (east), and against the Rapid Intervention Battalion 16 near Kongoussi (north) and the Mixed Battalion in the Wahigoya area (north).

Burkina Faso has been witnessing bloody attacks since 2015 attributed to movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Estimates suggest that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of about 20,000 people and displaced more than two million from their homes.

E.M