Massacre in Burkina Faso: Over 220 Civilians Killed in a Day – Military Accused of Atrocities

Human Rights Watch has reported a significant number of civilian deaths in Burkina Faso this year, with over 220 civilians, including 56 children, killed in a single day.

The massacre took place on February 25th, with 179 fatalities in Soro and 44 in Nondin. The military stands accused of committing atrocities, with witnesses recounting the brutal assault on villagers.

The military has defended the actions as retaliation against villagers suspected of aiding Islamist fighters, following an attack on a nearby military camp.

Under the rule of a military junta since a coup in 2022, the military continues to engage in violence, as jihadist groups hold sway over more than a third of the country.

Various international bodies, such as the European Union and the United Nations, have condemned Burkina Faso for severe human rights violations in its battle against insurgency, pointing to indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of civilians as some of the atrocities committed.

While Burkina Faso authorities have chosen to remain silent on the issue, public prosecutor Aly Benjamin Coulibaly has made a plea for witnesses to come forward and assist in identifying those accountable for the massacre.