JNIM militants overrun military post in Burkina Faso’s Sourou province

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed militants affiliated with the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) on Tuesday launched a deadly attack on the military post in Lanfièra, Sourou Province, in north-western Burkina Faso, killing dozens of soldiers and leaving several others critically injured.

Local sources said the militants, who stormed the base on May 6 in large numbers, overpowered the troops after a fierce gun battle and subsequently took control of the camp. It marked the second attack on the Lanfièra outpost in less than one month.

The attackers reportedly destroyed several military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and trucks used for troop movement. The military post was completely ransacked and set ablaze.

During the raid, the assailants reportedly seized: Four military vehicles, Two DShK heavy machine guns, One mortar, Seven rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, Eight PK machine guns, 34 Kalashnikov rifles, Dozens of magazines and seven crates of assorted ammunition,One surveillance drone, Military uniforms, boots, vests, mobile phones, and other personal items belonging to soldiers

The Burkinabè military authorities have yet to release an official statement, but sources within the region confirmed that reinforcement operations are underway, and aerial surveillance is being considered to track the militants.