On January 11, 2023, unknown jihadists killed nine civilians at a mosque in Goulgountou, Burkina Faso.
| Goulgountou mosque attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso | |
| Location | Goulgountou, Burkina Faso |
| Date | January 11, 2023 |
| Deaths | 9 |
| Perpetrator | Unknown |
| Motive | Jihadism |
Background
editSahel Region, where Goulgountou is located, has been the heart of the jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso that began in 2015 and intensified in 2019. The two main jihadist groups in the region are Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and Ansarul Islam.[1] Around the time of the attacks in Goulgountou, JNIM kidnapped dozens of women and children in Arbinda.
Attacks
editIn the afternoon of January 11, jihadists attacked Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland troops stationed at mines in Debere and Korizena, near Goulgountou, killing at least two.[2][1] The attackers then went towards Goulgountou, arriving on eight motorcycles, and proceeding to intimidate worshippers inside a mosque in the neighborhood of Ticknawell.[3][4] The jihadists pressured the worshippers to convert to the jihadists' sect of Islam.[5] When the local imam argued back, the jihadists threatened to slit his throat. The imam stated he would only die standing, so he was shot.[6] Eight other worshippers were killed in similar ways.[6]
Aftermath
editFollowing the attack, Goulgountou residents fled the town.[6] The Burkinabe announced counter-terrorism operations in the area shortly following the attack.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Burkina Faso: Armed attacks leave at least nine dead in several Sahel Region villages Jan. 11". Burkina Faso: Armed attacks leave at least nine dead in several Sahel Region villages Jan. 11 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ Traore, Oumou (January 11, 2023). "Burkina Faso : deux supplétifs de l'armée tués dans une attaque dans le Sahel". Maliactu. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Vodjo, Casimir (2023-01-13). "Burkina: au moins 9 morts dans une attaque armée contre une mosquée". Benin Web TV (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ AFP, Staff Writer With (2023-01-12). "Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ AFP, Staff Writer With (2023-01-12). "Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ a b c d Biedermann, Karol (2023-01-13). "Burkina Faso : 09 morts dans une attaque terroriste contre une mosquée". Sahel Intelligence (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-10.