At least 30 people were killed in eastern Burkina Faso after gunmen attacked on Monday, according to reports.
This is the latest attack since two Spanish journalists and an Irish conservationist were killed by jihadists a week ago.
The attack occurred in Kodyel village in the Komandjari province near the border with Niger, a government official, Labidi Ouoba told the Associated Press via phone after fleeing the attack.
Jihadists surrounded the village and went house to house setting fire to them and killing people, Ouoba said.
“I ran early because the terrorists usually look for authorities. We all pray that peace comes back now in our country. We are tired,″ he said.
Another resident, Mediempo Tandamba, who fled Monday’s attack said approximately 100 Islamic extremists entered the town on motorcycles, tricycles and pick-up trucks. Four of his brother’s children were killed.
Burkina Faso’s ill-equipped army has been struggling to contain the spread of jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State who have killed thousands and displaced more than a million people.
An analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Heni Nsaibia, said the jihadists killed civilians Monday because the village had provided fighters to the volunteer program.
Last year the government enlisted the help of volunteer fighters to help the army, but this move only incurred retaliation by the extremists who now target them and the communities they help.
