On Friday, January 6, 2023, security sources reported that four suspected jihadist attacks in Burkina Faso on Thursday left approximately 30 people dead, including 16 Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), a civilian auxiliary force supporting the military. This escalation, detailed by AFP and relevant as of 09:32 PM WAT on August 27, 2025, underscores the ongoing security crisis in the West African nation.
Details of the Attacks
The first attack targeted a VDP advance party in Rakoegtenga, northern Bam province, killing six auxiliaries and one woman. Around 10 others, including some with serious injuries, were evacuated to Ouagadougou for treatment, according to an anonymous VDP official. The second incident in Nayala province saw about 10 auxiliaries and one other person killed when a convoy escorted by VDP and soldiers was ambushed. Two additional attacks were reported: in Sanmatenga province, a joint military-VDP team in Zincko neutralized about 10 terrorists but lost four civilians, while gunmen raided Sanaba in Banwa province, killing eight civilians. Security sources confirmed the jihadist nature of at least two attacks but provided no precise total death toll, citing “a number of losses.”
The VDP, established in December 2019 with two weeks of military training, assists the army with surveillance and escort duties. However, commentators warn that their limited training makes them vulnerable to jihadist ambushes, potentially exacerbating ethnic tensions. Recent violence includes the abduction of 60 women, girls, and babies in Djibo last week while gathering food, and hundreds of VDP deaths since a recruitment drive for 50,000 (with 90,000 signing up) began late last year.
Context of Jihadist Insurgency
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a jihadist insurgency led by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, killing tens of thousands and displacing around two million. The violence, concentrated in northern and eastern regions bordering Mali and Niger, has intensified, triggering two coups in 2022. Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power in January, only to be ousted by Captain Ibrahim Traore on September 30. Traore now leads amid ongoing instability, with military prosecutors on December 29, 2022, investigating a new destabilization plot involving arrested officers linked to Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Zoungrana.
Broader Implications
The rising toll reflects a deepening crisis, with poorly trained volunteers and civilians bearing significant losses. The coups signal military frustration with the government’s inability to curb the insurgency, a challenge that persists into 2025. As Burkina Faso navigates leadership transitions and security threats, the international community continues to monitor the humanitarian and political fallout.
