Mon May 12 09:20:35 UTC 2025: ## Burkina Faso Army Accused of Mass Killing of Civilians
**Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso** – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Burkina Faso army and allied militias of massacring at least 130 Fulani civilians near the western town of Solenzo in March. The killings, part of a wider military campaign, were allegedly overseen by army aircraft, indicating direct command control.
The report, released Monday, details a weeks-long operation resulting in “widespread civilian deaths and massive displacement” of the Fulani community. Witnesses described hundreds of government troops, drones, and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) militia members participating in the attacks. Many victims were women, children, and the elderly. Survivors reported fleeing under drone surveillance and being shot at by the VDPs.
HRW’s findings are based on interviews with survivors, militia members, journalists, and civil society actors. The organization alleges that the Burkinabe army “led and participated in the massacre,” with military helicopters and drones monitoring the operation. A Fulani herder, who lost eight family members, recounted the harrowing escape, with many dying while fleeing attacks.
Following the initial killings, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), launched retaliatory attacks on villages perceived as having aided the military.
The Burkina Faso government previously denied similar allegations in March, attributing online videos to hate speech and fake news. They have yet to respond to this latest report. HRW is calling for an impartial investigation and prosecution of those responsible. The mass killings highlight the escalating violence and instability in Burkina Faso, where military rule has failed to bring peace and has led to the recruitment of poorly trained militia units, exacerbating ethnic tensions.
First Piper 