The military operation, which targeted the villages of Nondin and Soro, was reportedly carried out in response to an Islamist attack on a nearby military base. Witnesses and survivors provided harrowing accounts to HRW, alleging that the soldiers killed indiscriminately, targeting unarmed civilians and children.
HRW’s report, based on interviews with 23 individuals and verified video and photo evidence, details the horrific events. The victims were accused of collaborating with Islamist militants, a common justification for such atrocities in Burkina Faso.
The massacre has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Tirana Hassan, HRW’s executive director, condemned the authorities’ failure to prevent and investigate the killings, calling for international support for a credible probe. The incident is part of a string of similar crimes in recent months, including a November 2023 massacre in which 70 people, including infants, were killed.
The Burkina Faso government has repeatedly denied allegations of civilian killings, asserting that jihadi fighters often pose as soldiers. However, the mass executions are seen as part of a heavy-handed response to the ongoing jihadist insurgency that has plagued the country since 2015. The violence, linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, has claimed the lives of over 20,000 people.
Burkina Faso’s human rights record has come under intense scrutiny, raising concerns about the military’s conduct and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. The international community must demand justice for the victims of these atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable for their heinous crimes.
