At least eight civilians have been killed in twin attacks in eastern Burkina Faso, where jihadists have been gaining ground in recent months, local authorities said Saturday.

“Two terror attacks were carried out in the villages of Diabiga and Kompienbiga” overnight in eastern Kompienga province, claiming at least eight lives, the regional governor said in a statement.

An unnamed security source told AFP that one of the attacks had targeted the home of a religious leader who was killed along with four other people.

Meanwhile, “three people belonging to the same family were killed and another two injured by suspected jihadists on mopeds,” according to another security source.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has battled increased Islamist violence of the sort that plagues neighbouring Mali and Niger, and experts say the recent surge is likely the result of pressure on jihadist insurgents there. </s> At least eight civilians have been killed in twin attacks in eastern Burkina Faso, where armed groups have been gaining ground in recent months, according to local authorities.

"Two terror attacks were carried out in the villages of Diabiga and Kompienbiga" overnight in eastern Kompienga province, the regional governor said in a statement on Saturday.

In one of the attacks, the gunmen targeted the home of a religious leader who was killed along with four other people, an unnamed security source told the AFP news agency.

"Three people belonging to the same family were killed and another two injured by suspected jihadists on mopeds," according to another security source.

In March, at least 16 people, including eight fighters, were killed in coordinated attacks on the French embassy and army headquarters in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Last year, an al-Qaeda affiliated group attacked a restaurant in Ouagadougou, killing 19 people.

Since 2015, armed groups in the Sahel - an area traversing Central and West Africa - have staged a number of attacks in Burkina Faso. </s> OUAGADOUGOU (AFP) - At least nine civilians have been killed in twin attacks in eastern Burkina Faso, a poor West African country where Islamic militants have been gaining ground in recent months, local authorities said on Saturday (Sept 15).

"Two terror attacks were carried out in the villages of Diabiga and Kompienbiga" overnight on Friday in eastern Kompienga province, the regional governor said in an earlier statement.

An unnamed security source told AFP that one of the attacks had targeted the home of a Islamic religious leader and other Muslims.

"Five people including the leader were killed," he said, adding that three others were injured on the attack on the house which is next to a mosque.

One of the injured later succumbed to their wounds.

Meanwhile, "three people belonging to the same family were killed and another two injured by suspected jihadists on mopeds," according to another security source.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has battled increased Islamist violence of the sort that plagues neighbouring Mali and Niger, and experts say the recent surge is likely the result of pressure on militant insurgents there.

The capital Ouagadougou has been hit by three attacks over the past two years leaving a total of 60 people dead.

Last week, Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore promised new security measures "to eradicate the scourge of terrorism". </s> At least 9 killed in extremist attacks in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Authorities in Burkina Faso say extremists have killed at least nine civilians in two attacks in the country's east.

The governorate of the eastern region says six people including an imam were killed in one attack on a mosque in the community of Diabiga. In Friday's other attack, three members of a family were shot dead in Kompienga province.

Until now, extremists in that part of the West African country have largely targeted security forces.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore recently announced that the country would put an end to "destabilization activity" in the east, where extremist attacks have been increasing.

Since then more troops have been sent to the region, where extremists use the forests as hideouts. </s> At least 24 troops were killed in northern Burkina Faso as a result of a recent attack by militants, local media reported on Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2019) At least 24 troops were killed in northern Burkina Faso as a result of a recent attack by militants , local media reported on Tuesday.

The attack by an armed terrorist group on a military unit in the province of Soum took place on Monday morning, Afriquinfos news outlet reported.

According to Burkina Faso's General Staff, apart from 24 dead, 12 to 17 soldiers are missing and many are critically injured. The militants also seized weapons.

The Army Command said it was conducting a large-scale air and ground operation to search for the attackers and further neutralize them.

There are two major Islamic groups active in Burkina Faso Ansarul islam and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims. </s> OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Authorities in Burkina Faso say extremists have killed at least eight civilians in two attacks in the country’s east.

The governorate of the eastern region says five people including an imam were killed in one attack on a mosque in the community of Diabiga. In Friday’s other attack, three members of a family were shot dead in Kompienga province.

Until now, extremists in that part of the West African country have largely targeted security forces.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore recently announced that the country would put an end to “destabilization activity” in the east, where extremist attacks have been increasing.

Since then more troops have been sent to the region, where extremists use the forests as hideouts.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Unidentified armed militants on Monday killed at least 10 soldiers and wounded many others in an attack on a military unit in northern Burkina Faso, the army said in a statement.

Burkina Faso has been overrun by Islamist violence this year in which hundreds have died and more than 150,000 have been forced to flee, as the influence of jihadist groups spreads across the Sahel region. </s> In Burkina Faso, 14 civilians have been killed in a terrorist attack in the northern region of the West Africa nation near the Mali border.

The military conducted raids and “neutralised” 146 militants. The terror attack, which took place in the town of Kain in the Yatenta province on the night of Sunday to yesterday, is one of the most serious recorded in the country. </s> Ouagadougou: - Nine people including an imam have been killed by extremists in two separate attacks on civilians in Burkina Faso, authorities say.

The governorate of the country's eastern region says six people including an imam were killed in one attack on a mosque in the community of Diabiga on Friday.

Soldiers examine burnt-out cars outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 2016. Credit:AP

In a separate attack on Friday, three members of a family were shot dead in Kompienga province.

Until now, extremists in that part of the west African country have largely targeted security forces.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore recently announced the country would put an end to "destabilisation activity" in the east, where extremist attacks have been increasing.

Since then more troops have been sent to the region, where extremists use the forests as hideouts.

AP
Nine civilians are killed in twin attacks carried out by Islamist militants in eastern Burkina Faso.