(MENAFN) The government of Burkina Faso reports that at least 11 soldiers were dead and 50 people were missing when armed rebels ambushed a 150-vehicle military-escorted convoy transporting supplies to a northern town.
The government stated in a statement on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Monday in the commune of Gaskinde in Soum province, where armed factions affiliated to al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) organization have been expanding assaults and gaining territory since 2015.
28 individuals were injured, including 20 troops, and dozens of trucks were damaged.
Burkina Faso has been wracked by violence since Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba took control in a coup in January, deposing the country's elected government and promised to rein in armed groups. As in neighboring nations, fighters connected with al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have fueled the unrest, even after Damiba fired his defense minister and took over the post himself earlier this month.
Armed factions have blockaded many villages in the northern Soum province; thus, government convoys and airdrops have provided crucial items to stranded populations. The latest attack on army-escorted resupply convoys occurred on Monday.
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