Islamist Group Kills Dozens, Abducts Women in Burkina Faso, Human Rights Watch Reports
Islamist Group Kills Dozens, Abducts Women in Burkina Faso, Human Rights Watch Reports
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An Al Qaeda-linked group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), has carried out a series of deadly attacks in northeastern Burkina Faso, killing at least 38 civilians, abducting nine women, and burning property in three separate incidents since late January 2026, according to Human Rights Watch.
The first attack occurred on January 29 near Sollé village, where JNIM fighters kidnapped nine women fetching firewood, threatened them with rape, and released them the following day after questioning them about alleged ties to local militias assisting the military.
On February 14, in Titao city, hundreds of JNIM fighters attacked a military base, opened fire on civilians at the market, burned shops, and destroyed telecommunications infrastructure. Witnesses reported that men were targeted while women and children were spared. Among the victims were seven Ghanaian nationals, confirmed by Ghana’s Foreign Ministry. Human Rights Watch verified the destruction of at least 15 shops, three trucks, three buses, and a telecommunications tower.
A third attack occurred on February 22 in Manni town, where JNIM fighters executed four shopkeepers and burned their stores after assaulting the local gendarmerie post and targeting militia members.
JNIM’s operations appear to focus on communities perceived to support the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDPs), militias allied with the Burkinabè military. Human Rights Watch described these attacks as apparent war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and destruction of civilian property.
Burkina Faso’s military reportedly carried out airstrikes in response, and authorities have provided humanitarian aid to affected communities. Human Rights Watch urged the government to investigate and prosecute war crimes and seek international support to ensure accountability under international humanitarian law.
