[ad_1]
Burkina Faso’s armed forces have kidnapped 66 women and children by Islamist militants while collecting food in the country’s northern Sahel region earlier this month, state television reported on Friday (20 January). released.
State broadcaster RTB reported that the military had identified hostages during military operations in the north-central region. This group included 39 of his children, among whom he had four infants.
Authorities said they were gathering wild fruits in the countryside near the town of Albinda in Soum governorate when Islamist militants kidnapped them on January 12 and 13.
Militants have besieged towns around the West African country, preventing the free movement of people and goods. Human rights groups say the town of Arbinda has been under a jihad blockade for years, making it vulnerable to attacks if women try to leave.
Jihad violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group hit Burkina Faso, killing thousands and displacing nearly two million people in the West African country. It has caused dissatisfaction and led to two military coups in 2022.
The military junta, which took power in September, has vowed to restore order but is still struggling to stem the violence.
[ad_2]
Source link