Burkina Faso: JNIM claims responsibility for March 2 attack /update 3

Event

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an armed Islamist group, has claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks that targeted the French Embassy and the Burkinabe Army Headquarters in the capital Ouagadougou on Friday, March 2, in which 16 people were killed, including eight soldiers, and 80 others were wounded.

Furthermore, overnight March 3-4, three unidentified armed men attempted to force their way through a security checkpoint at the entrance of the Ouaga 2000 district, located near the Presidential Palace. Presidential guard forces arrested one of the assailants, who was later killed when he tried to escape; the other two assailants managed to flee.

It remains unclear if the two incidents are related. An increased security presence has been deployed throughout the city.

Context

JNIM has carried out multiple attacks against both civilian and military targets across the western Sahel region in recent years. Friday’s attacks were reportedly in response to the killing of one of the group’s leaders in a recent raid carried out by French Barkhane forces.

Advice

Individuals in Ouagadougou are advised to monitor the situation and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.

More generally, due to the serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to be discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. A number of Western governments advise against all travel to areas within 50 km (30 mi) of the Malian border above the Dori-Niangoloko line. Nonessential travel to the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso and border regions of Tapoa province is also advised against due to unstable security conditions along the borders.