Audio By Carbonatix
Fifty-three members of Burkina Faso's security forces have died in heavy clashes with Islamist militants, the army has said.
The fatalities occurred on Monday while the forces were repelling an "attack" by jihadists, a statement released the following day said.
The fighting had taken place in the northern Yatenga province, where the army has been trying to reclaim territory.
Extremists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have been carrying out frequent attacks in Burkina Faso since 2015.
Several militants in Monday's clash had been "neutralised" in a counter-operation, the army said, while fatalities on the military's side comprised of 17 soldiers and 36 civilian volunteers.
Last year, two military coups were carried out in Burkina Faso. Like in neighbouring Mali and Niger, the soldiers' key reason for seizing power was the growing threat from jihadists.
None of the three military regimes have so far managed to reduce the violence.
Latest Stories
-
President Mahama ends Resetting Ghana tour of Ahafo Region
22 minutes -
African negotiators seek delivery of climate commitments at COP31
23 minutes -
BoG develops AI rules for financial sector
25 minutes -
‘Big Push’: Government assures contractors of prompt payments
29 minutes -
Court fines miner for breaking into gold buying shop
39 minutes -
Tarkwa court jails labourer for three years over GH¢123,000 theft
2 hours -
GAEC must retain nuclear scientists for Ghana’s nuclear ambitions – Minister
2 hours -
Man reportedly mistaken for game and shot by hunter dead in forest
2 hours -
19-year-old mason jailed 15 years for defiling seven-year-old pupil
2 hours -
Ghana’s banking sector assets rise 20.47% to GH¢500.2bn – BoG Governor
2 hours -
22 injured as Sprinter bus overturns at Sege after tyre burst
2 hours -
UN housing expert urges Ghana to strengthen Rent Control Department amid housing affordability concerns
2 hours -
Delta-BCI partnership reaches 166,000 people with breast cancer education
3 hours -
Power restoration fault suspected in Kumasi Central Market fire
8 hours -
The 7-foot giant of Ngleshie Amanfro: Seven-foot Ghanaian Ephraim Saawa dreams of joining the national basketball team
8 hours