More than 130 civilians were reportedly killed in March near the town of Solenzo in western Burkina Faso, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.
The alleged killings were carried out by special forces from the Burkinabè military along with allied militia, raising serious concerns about the conduct of government forces in the country’s ongoing fight against Islamist insurgents.
The incident followed a military operation in an area known for tensions between security forces and the Fulani community. The Fulani, a largely Muslim pastoralist group, has often been accused by the government of supporting militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Community leaders reject these claims, warning that such assumptions fuel further violence and alienation.
The killings occurred in a region that has seen increasing control by armed Islamist groups. Around 40 percent of Burkina Faso’s territory is estimated to be under militant rule. The military-led government, which came to power promising to bring peace and restore stability, has been struggling to contain the violence that has left thousands dead and displaced millions over recent years.
The Human Rights Watch report is based on interviews with eyewitnesses, local militia members, civil society representatives, and journalists. It also includes analysis of photos and videos circulated online. The organization now states that it has credible evidence directly implicating the military in a mass killing campaign targeting Fulani civilians during the March operation.
This is not the first time the Burkinabè army has faced such accusations. Last year, another report by the same group claimed soldiers were behind the deaths of 223 villagers. The government dismissed those findings as unfounded and insisted that all allegations of misconduct in the fight against terrorism are subject to investigation.
The situation continues to worsen, with reports over the past weekend of fresh militant attacks leading to more deaths among both soldiers and civilians. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, as official statements are often withheld and access to conflict zones is limited.
HRW warns that atrocities carried out by government forces, pro-government militias, and jihadist groups all qualify as war crimes. The organization has called on Burkina Faso’s government to launch a transparent investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
The report was released shortly after junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré returned from a trip to Moscow, where he discussed security cooperation in the Sahel with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since taking power, the military government has distanced itself from France and turned to Russia for support in combating extremist groups.
The growing list of civilian casualties continues to raise alarm about the methods being used in the counterinsurgency campaign and the long-term impact on Burkina Faso’s social fabric and stability.