Deadly Terrorist Attack Rocks Central Burkina Faso

A weekend assault by al-Qaida-linked militants in central Burkina Faso has left at least 100 villagers and soldiers dead. The attack occurred as villagers helped dig trenches to protect security outposts. Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility, as Burkina Faso's government struggles to counter rising jihadi violence.

At least 100 villagers and soldiers lost their lives in central Burkina Faso during a weekend attack by al-Qaida-linked militants, according to videos analyzed by a regional specialist. This assault, described as one of the deadliest this year, highlights the increasing violence in the conflict-torn West African nation.

Villagers in Barsalogho, 80 kilometers from the capital, were assisting security forces with trench digging to protect outposts on Saturday when fighters from the al-Qaida-linked JNIM group attacked, reported Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Centre security think tank.

Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday, stating they gained "total control over a militia position" in Barsalogho, a strategic town. Burkina Faso's security minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed the government's response with ground and air support but did not provide an exact casualty count.

(With inputs from agencies.)