Current:Home > InvestAt least 40 civilians killed by al-Qaida-linked rebels in a Burkina Faso town, UN rights office says-LoTradeCoin
At least 40 civilians killed by al-Qaida-linked rebels in a Burkina Faso town, UN rights office says
View Date:2024-12-23 19:24:15
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least 40 civilians were killed last weekend by al-Qaida-linked rebels trying to take control of a besieged town in Burkina Faso’s hard-hit northern region, the United Nations’ rights office said, calling the attack a war crime.
In one of the largest clashes in recent years in the West African nation under threat from fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a large number of fighters tried to take control of Djibo near Mali’s border.
The town, located 210 kilometres (130 miles) from the capital, Ouagadougou, has been under blockade by rebels for more than a year, often struggling to provide essential services.
The militants in the latest attack, which happened on Sunday, also wounded 42 people and set fire to three camps for internally displaced people, U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango said in a statement on Tuesday that blamed the attack on JNIM, an umbrella coalition of armed groups aligned with al-Qaida.
“Deliberately targeting civilians or individuals not taking direct part in hostilities constitutes a war crime,” the U.N. department said, citing reports from its workers on the ground.
The Associated Press couldn’t reach witnesses or survivors in the area, which has frequent internet cuts and where the military government is known to crack down on civil society.
State-run RTB Television ran images — which The Associated Press couldn’t verify — that showed large groups of people riding motorcycles as they appeared to flee aerial bombardment.
“Attacks on civilians are inexcusable and must stop, and those responsible must be held to account following thorough, impartial and independent investigations by the authorities,” the U.N. statement added.
Around half of Burkina Faso’s territory remains outside of government control. The landlocked country has been ravaged by jihadi attacks. Fighters have killed thousands and displaced more than 2 million people, further threatening the stability of the country that had two coups last year.
veryGood! (91)
Related
- The Cowboys, claiming to be 'all in' prior to Dak Prescott's injury, are in a rare spot: Irrelevance
- 'Deadpool & Wolverine' deleted scene teases this scene-stealing character could return
- 'So much shock': LA doctor to the stars fatally shot outside his office, killer at large
- Armie Hammer Reveals He’s Selling His Truck Since He “Can’t Afford the Gas Anymore”
- Bluesky has added 1 million users since the US election as people seek alternatives to X
- Georgia’s former first lady and champion of literacy has school named in her honor
- Harris and Walz are kicking off a 2-day bus tour in Georgia that will culminate in Savannah rally
- Man wins $439,000 lottery prize just after buying North Carolina home
- Kentucky woman seeking abortion files lawsuit over state bans
- It’s a tough time for college presidents, but Tania Tetlow thrives as a trailblazer at Fordham
Ranking
- NBA players express concern for ex-player Kyle Singler after social media post
- Jury returns to deliberations in trial of former politician accused of killing Las Vegas reporter
- 'Lord of the Rings' series 'The Rings of Power' is beautiful but empty in Season 2
- Navy recruiting rebounds, but it will miss its target to get sailors through boot camp
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- Crews work to restore power to more than 300,000 Michigan homes, businesses after storms
- Nick Cannon and Brittany Bell's Advanced Son Golden Is Starting 4th Grade at 7 Years Old
- Errant ostrich brings traffic to a halt in South Dakota after escaping from a trailer
Recommendation
-
Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M
-
Harris and Walz are kicking off a 2-day bus tour in Georgia that will culminate in Savannah rally
-
Museum opens honoring memory of Juan Gabriel, icon of Latin music
-
Simone Biles Poses With All 11 of Her Olympic Medals in Winning Photos
-
2025 NFL mock draft: QBs Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward crack top five
-
Nvidia is Wall Street’s 2nd-most valuable company. How it keeps beating expectations, by the numbers
-
The new 2025 Lincoln Navigator is here and it's spectacular
-
Wisconsin sheriff investigating homicide at aging maximum security prison