On October 29, 2022, gunmen from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin ambushed a convoy of Burkinabé soldiers near the village of Kikideni while they were on their way from Fada N'gourma to Natiaboani, Est Region, Burkina Faso.
| Kikideni ambush | |
|---|---|
| Part of Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso | |
| Location | Kikideni, Est Region, Burkina Faso |
| Date | October 29, 2022 |
| Target | Burkinabe Armed Forces and VDP |
| Deaths | 15
|
| Injured | 4
|
| Perpetrator |  Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin |
Background
editThe jihadist insurgency led by Ansar ul Islam and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin moved to the Est Region of Burkina Faso in July 2018.[1] While the Burkinabe military has a presence in major cities like Fada N'gourma and Natiaboani, the modus operandi of JNIM in Est Region is attacks on foreign-owned mines and attacks on Burkinabe military convoys on remote roads.[1] Many of these convoys are aided by Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), civilian militias trained by the government to fight the jihadists.[2] Kikideni had seen prior jihadist activity, with a school burned down in the town in February 2022.[3]
On September 26, 2022, a convoy of Burkinabe soldiers, VDP, and civilians heading to the besieged city of Djibo was ambushed by JNIM, killing thirty-seven people. The Gaskinde attack was preceded by a bus bombing in Silgadji on September 5, where thirty-five soldiers and VDP were killed. Just prior to the attack in Kikideni, an ambush by JNIM against a Burkinabe military base in Djibo killed ten Burkinabe soldiers and injured fifty others.[2]
Ambush
editAt the time of the attack, a convoy of Burkinabe soldiers from a detachment based in Natiaboani and VDP were returning to Natiaboani from a supply mission in Fada N'gourma.[2] JNIM militants, hiding out near the village of Kikideni, ambushed the convoy, killing thirteen soldiers and two VDP.[2][4][5] Three soldiers and one VDP were wounded, and eleven others went missing.[4][2] The Burkinabe military deployed reinforcements the area.[6]
Aftermath
editThe Burkinabe government led by Ibrahim Traoré expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers for the attack.[6] JNIM conducted more attacks against Burkinabe troops in Est region in late November.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b MaxEditor (2019-04-04). "Jihadist Groups Expand Geographically - Burkina Faso Special Analysis". Max Security. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ a b c d e Targui, Abdalah (2022-10-30). "Burkina Faso : 15 combatants including 13 soldiers and 02 VDP killed in Kikideni ( Army)". Tanakra Media Foundation. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ de Bruijne, Kars (November 2022). "Conflict in the Penta-Border Area" (PDF). Clingendael. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Burkina Faso Ambush Kills 13 Soldiers: Security Sources". Voice of America. 2022-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ Francisco, Ariane Dinalli (2022-11-10). "Regional Overview: Africa 29 October-4 November 2022". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ a b ZONGO, Daouda (2022-10-30). "Burkina: 13 militaires et deux VDP tombés à Kikideni". Wakat Séra (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ Francisco, Ariane Dinalli (2022-11-24). "Regional Overview: Africa 12-18 November 2022". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-12-01.