On Tuesday, 18 February, the town of Djibo in northern Burkina Faso once again found itself under assault by jihadist groups, who launched coordinated attacks on several army posts situated south, southeast, and north of the city, rfi reports.

The ambush resulted in the death of at least six Burkina Faso soldiers. Despite the fierce confrontation, the attackers managed to escape, taking valuable military equipment with them.

The town has been under siege for the past three years, with residents unable to leave or enter without military protection, further heightening the severity of the attack.

The violence began in the early hours of the morning, around 4 a.m. when heavy gunfire erupted from multiple directions around Djibo. Local sources reported that the attackers were numerous and heavily armed, targeting military posts and threatening the city’s defences.

As the situation escalated, soldiers in Djibo requested air support, as the city appeared fully encircled. Messages sent by soldiers on the ground described the situation as dire, and it quickly became evident that the assailants had launched a well-coordinated offensive from all sides.

Despite the resilience of the Burkina Faso forces, who were able to neutralise several of the attackers after hours of intense fighting, the jihadists successfully fled the scene with weapons and equipment from the army's stockpiles.

Local witnesses and military personnel reported confusion at some points during the firefight, with claims of friendly fire contributing to the chaotic nature of the battle. The attack underscores the continuing instability in the Sahel region, where jihadist groups have plagued Burkina Faso and other neighbouring countries for years