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Case Number
20241020ST
Case Date of Filing
20/10/2024
Suspected/Known Time of Incident
Local Time and Date: 09:00-16:00hrs. 24/08/2024 (GM Timezone)
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GMT/Zulu Time and Date: 09:00-16:00hrs. 24/08/2024
Case Researcher(s)
Combined Sahel Team
Barsalogho, Burkina Faso
The Barsalogho massacre unfolded in Burkina Faso’s Sahel region, where militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, launched a brutal attack on civilians over several hours.
The attack targeted villagers sheltering in newly dug defensive trenches ordered by the military to protect the town from nearby jihadist activity. Eyewitnesses and videos show at least 124 bodies along the trenches, with the UN estimating 200 deaths, JNIM claiming 300, and French intelligence suggesting up to 600 victims.
The militants, numbering several dozen and arriving on motorcycles, primarily targeted women, children, and unarmed men. Execution-style killings were carried out at close range. The victims had no military affiliation or weapons, as confirmed by footage reviewed by Bellingcat.
The massacre occurred amidst worsening violence in the region, which has already claimed over 20,000 lives since 2015, further exacerbating tensions under the rule of junta leader Ibrahim Traoré.
Case Location:
Latitude/Longitude (WGS84)
13.4151° N , 1.0564° W
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Town/Region/Country
Barsalogho, Sanmatenga Province of central Burkina Faso
Individual Incident Locations:
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Potential Location 1- Trench site at 13°31'30"N, 1°20'27"E, about 3.8 km east of Barsalogho. This location was identified through geolocation analysis of JNIM videos and satellite imagery.
Casualties
Total Suspected/Known Number of Casualties: 200-600​
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Injured: Approximately 300 injured, with 120 evacuated to a hospital in Kaya.
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Fatalities in Incident: NA
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Fatalities in Grave: NA
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Further Casualty Information:
Age Range: All ages
Genders: Males and Females
Ethnicity/ies: Barsalogho Locals
Suspected or Known Aggressors:
Group/Tribe/Militia/Organisation: Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate.
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Suspected/Known Quantity of Participants: 80-100+
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Aggressor Evidence Below:
The attack involved a large group of militants, most of whom arrived on motorcycles, as is typical of JNIM operations. They executed civilians in the trenches with small arms fire, as captured in several videos showing bodies along the trench line
Immediate Evaluation:
To ensure future protection for residents in Barsalogho and the surrounding areas, several immediate measures must be taken. Firstly, there is an urgent need for improved military presence. The forced conscription of civilians into defence roles without adequate protection has proven disastrous, and the military’s lack of readiness during the attack highlights severe gaps in their war against JNIM. International support, particularly in intelligence gathering and training of local forces, could strengthen future defences.The Bigger Picture:The political instability under the junta led by Ibrahim Traoré compounds these issues. The junta’s failure to heed warnings about JNIM’s impending attack, and its insufficient response during the massacre, further erodes trust among the local population. The junta's weakened capacity to counter jihadist forces like JNIM makes it likely that similar atrocities will continue throughout the region unless there is a drastic overhaul in security policy and military engagement.In addition, community-driven defence mechanisms, supported by better-equipped local forces, may be essential in stabilizing the region. International peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance will also be critical to prevent future violence, particularly as JNIM and other extremist groups continue to exploit the current political vacuum.