15 killed in attack on army vehicle in Burkina Faso

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - At least 15 people, including 13 soldiers, were killed in an attack on a military vehicle in eastern Burkina Faso, the army announced on Sunday.

The attack attributed to armed terrorists occurred on Saturday in the rural commune of Kikideni, in the Gourma province.

“A unit of the military detachment of Natiaboani and a group of two army auxiliaries were returning from a supply mission in Fada town when it was attacked by a group of terrorists,” an army statement said.

“The ensuing clashes, unfortunately, left 15 combatants dead including 13 soldiers and two Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP),” it added.

Four more people, including three soldiers, were injured and 11 others were left missing, according to the statement.

The army said it has deployed reinforcements to conduct search operations in the area.

It was the second deadly attack in a week. On Monday, 10 soldiers were killed and about 50 others wounded in an attack that targeted the 14th Combined Arms Regiment of Djibo.

Burkina Faso has been battling an insurgency that spread from neighboring Mali over the past decade.