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An attack that reportedly killed over 100 soldiers at an army base in Burkina Faso has led to speculation about unrest within the country’s security forces, where the military has held power since 2022. In response, the leader of the military junta, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, appeared on state TV to dispel these rumors.
Burkina Faso has been battling Islamist insurgents for several years, with about half the country outside government control. The jihadist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack on June 11 in the northern town of Mansila. The following day, there was an explosion near the headquarters of state television.
The attack on Mansila involved armed men assaulting the military base near the Niger border, resulting in around 100 soldiers killed and many others missing. Hundreds of civilians fled the area seeking safety. JNIM later released a video showing a large cache of weapons and ammunition they claimed to have captured during the assault, along with footage of their fighters attacking a remote village.
The Burkinabe armed forces have since blockaded Mansila, restricting access without a military convoy. In his first comments since the attack, Capt. Traoré mentioned that the military launched an operation and sent reinforcement troops but did not address JNIM’s claim of responsibility.
A day after the Mansila attack, a rocket hit the parking area of state TV Radiotélévision Burkinabé (RTB) in the capital, Ouagadougou, resulting in two minor injuries. RTB described the incident as a “shooting incident,” but there was speculation about internal tensions within the military.
The military coup in Burkina Faso came with promises to end the jihadist insurgency, but insecurity has increased since the army took power, expelling French troops and forging closer ties with Russia. The recent attacks have highlighted the junta’s struggles to maintain control.
Military sources suggested that the RTB attack was linked to internal military issues. Reports from media outlets indicated that the rocket might have been fired from the presidential palace during a cabinet meeting chaired by Capt. Traoré, who had to be quickly escorted to safety.
Capt. Traoré denied reports of a mutiny within the army, claiming the rocket launch at RTB was accidental. Despite his assurances, local media and the public have expressed concerns. Social media users criticized the junta for its handling of the security crisis, while others defended it, accusing external forces of trying to destabilize the country.
The attacks occurred shortly after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Burkina Faso, promising more military instructors. Russia has been strengthening its ties with Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries, aiming to support Capt. Traoré’s administration.
In his first public appearance since the attacks, Capt. Traoré participated in a blood donation drive. His subdued response has drawn criticism from those who feel the government has not adequately addressed the security crisis, while others fear the junta’s crackdown on media and dissent. As Burkina Faso continues to face significant security challenges, the junta’s ability to manage internal and external pressures remains in question.
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