Authorities say 44 people were killed in two attacks in the West African country of Burkina Faso on Thursday. The twin attacks took place in Kurakau and Thondobi villages in the Sahel region near the Niger border. The villagers say that the terrorists entered the village and opened fire.
No one claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities say jihadist violence is common in the area and armed terrorist groups are behind the attacks. There are reports that terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are operating in the region. Rodolphe Sorgo, the lieutenant governor of the Sahel region, said that the attack was despicable and barbaric and that relief efforts were underway.
Other villagers were reportedly injured in the attack, but their exact number is not known. A few days ago, two jihadists were killed by villagers for trying to steal cattle. AFP reports that the attack is in response to this. Thursday night’s killings took place near the village of Seitenga, where dozens of people were killed last June.
Story Highlights: Dozens killed in ‘barbaric’ Burkina Faso attacks