Militants attacked security forces during a state operation to retake a town in Yatenga province, the army reports
Authorities in Burkina Faso said 53 members of its security forces and dozens of attackers have been killed in “intense” fighting with suspected jihadists in the northern part of the West African country.
The casualties include 17 soldiers and 36 volunteer fighters, the Burkina Faso Armed Forces said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that about 30 others were injured. Ouagadougou also reported neutralizing dozens of attackers.
The clashes occurred on Monday in Yatenga province during a national forces operation to retake the town of Koumbri “to allow the resettlement” of residents who had been displaced “for more than two years,” according to the army general staff.
“During its progression, [the 12th Commando Infantry Regiment] experienced several incidents and harassment fire… The bravery and determination of our fighters made it possible to put up fierce resistance, repel the attack, and neutralize several dozen terrorists,” it added.
The nation in the Sahel region has been battling an Islamist insurgency since 2015, thought to have spread from neighboring Mali and which, the United Nations says, has killed thousands of people and forced the displacement of nearly two million more.
Burkina Faso’s military government announced a “general mobilization” in April as part of an effort to recapture 40% of the national territory, which it lost to armed groups.
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