Fatalities Reported after Gunmen Attack Villages in Soum Provinces
Category: Criminal Activity
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
09/16/2017 (Burkina Faso) - According to local media reports on Saturday, 16 September, three people have been fatally shot in two separate attacks carried out by gunmen in the northern border province of Soum. The unidentified assailants attacked two villages near Baraboule, targeting local leaders including a village chief and an imam. The identity and motives of the gunmen are not yet known, but jihadist groups are known to operate in the area. In recent months, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have intensified their military cooperation to fight active jihadist groups across their common borders.
Travellers are advised to exercise a heightened level of caution in light of the recent attacks and should be aware of increased security operations across the region. Due to the high threat of militancy and criminal activity, all travel to areas of northern Burkina Faso should be subject to a thorough localised threat assessment and undertaken in coordination with a trusted security provider. Those in Burkina Faso should monitor local media sources for further updates on the situation in the Sahel region and to remain apprised of security-related developments in their particular area of operations.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
Related
News Alerts and Safety Profiles are provided strictly for informational purposes and contain the best available data at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the information in this report has not been independently verified and HTH Worldwide therefore accepts no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies in such information and any such liability is expressly denied, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made. Documents may be amended or withdrawn at any time without cause.