Human Rights Watch has reported that the Burkina Faso military is responsible for the deaths of 223 civilians, including at least 56 children, during a coordinated attack on February 25th. The incidents occurred in the villages of Soro and Nondin, where soldiers allegedly targeted civilians in a retaliatory action against communities accused of aiding Islamist militants.
According to HRW, 179 individuals were killed in Soro and 44 in Nondin. The attacks followed an assault by Islamist fighters on a nearby military camp in the northern Yatenga province, which the military claims was supported by local villagers. HRW’s investigation includes testimonies from survivors, who described how over 100 soldiers arrived in the villages, forcibly gathered residents, and opened fire.
The report details that in addition to shooting those trying to escape, the military personnel accused the villagers of failing to inform them about the movements of Islamist fighters. This has been one of the deadliest recorded incidents involving Burkina Faso’s military in recent years, highlighting severe issues within their counterinsurgency operations.
Burkina Faso, currently governed by a military junta following a 2022 coup, has seen an increase in violence, with large portions of the country under the control of jihadist groups. The international community, including the European Union and the United Nations, has accused the Burkinabè military of committing serious human rights violations in their efforts to combat these insurgencies.
The HRW report is calling for international assistance to support a credible investigation into the massacres. The organization emphasized the urgent need for accountability and measures to prevent future atrocities by state forces in Burkina Faso.
Expanded Coverage:
