Ouagadougou, March 23, (dpa/GNA) – At least 36 extremists have been “neutralized” in an anti-terrorism operation in eastern Burkina Faso, according to the military.
Days earlier, terrorists had killed 24 soldiers in attacks on the towns of Natiaboani and Napade, the army said on Wednesday.
The stated aim of the military operation, was to secure the eastern part of the country, which borders Niger. It was not immediately clear whether the alleged extremists had been killed or captured.
Burkina Faso, a West African country of 21 million, has been suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis since 2019.
Armed groups, some of which have pledged allegiance to Islamic State or al-Qaeda, are active in the country and in neighbouring Mali and Niger.
Protracted droughts and famines also plague Burkina Faso, a poor country despite its ample gold deposits.
The military has ruled the country since a coup in January.
GNA