Burkina Faso: 13 civilians killed in ethnic violence

Gunmen kill six residents of Yirgou village, triggering retaliatory attack on Fulani herders that leaves seven dead

By Alaattin Dogru

DAKAR (AA) – At least 13 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso in the latest bout of ethnic violence to hit the country, local media reported Wednesday.

Unidentified gunmen reportedly attacked the village of Yirgou in Barsalogo district late Monday, killing six people, including the village chief.

In response, Yirgou villagers – which mostly belong to the ethnic Mossi group -- killed seven herders from the Fulani tribe, which they blamed for sheltering the gunmen.

The Governor of the Centre-North region, Nandy Some-Diallo, said in a statement that security forces were sent to the region and an investigation has been launched.

Burkina Faso has been threatened by terrorist attacks since 2015.

On Dec. 27, a terrorist attack on security forces in Sourou State in northwestern Burkina Faso left 10 gendarmes dead.

Following the incident, a state of emergency was declared in seven of the country’s 13 administrative regions.

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