Burkina Faso Faces Criticism for Civilian Risk in Militant Attack

Human Rights Watch condemns Burkina Faso's government for exposing civilians to danger during a deadly assault by an al-Qaeda-linked group.

At least 133 civilians were killed and over 200 injured in an August attack by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in Barsalogho, Burkina Faso.
Human Rights Watch reports that villagers were forced by the military to dig trenches, making them targets for the militant group.
The Burkina Faso government denies allegations of forced labor, stating that such practices are illegal and unproven.
The attack highlights the ongoing struggle of Burkina Faso's military government to control militant violence that has displaced over 2 million people.
The reliance on civilian auxiliaries for defense efforts is criticized for increasing risks to non-combatants.