Click to expand Image Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso, October 25, 2021. © 2021 Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images An Al-Qaeda-linked armed group killed at least 27 civilians in…
Click to expand Image Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso, October 25, 2021. © 2021 Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images An Al-Qaeda-linked armed group killed at least 27 civilians in two attacks in Burkina Faso’s northern Yatenga province in September 2026. The group’s relentless, unlawful attacks put civilians across Burkina Faso at grave risk. The laws of war prohibit attacking civilians, and those who order, commit, or assist serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intent may be prosecuted for war crimes.
Burkina Faso authorities should urgently strengthen protection for threatened communities, investigate abuses, and fairly prosecute those responsible. (Nairobi) – An Al-Qaeda-linked armed group killed at least 27 civilians in two attacks in Burkina Faso’s northern Yatenga province in September 2026, Human Rights Watch said today. These attacks violated international humanitarian law and are apparent war crimes.
On September 1, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM) attacked a gold mining site in Soubo, Ouahigouya district, killing 24 civilians, injuring at least 20 others, and burning property. On September 5, three civilians on a motorcycle, including a child, were killed by an explosive weapon on a dirt track near Mera village, also in Ouahigouya district. Local residents believe JNIM forces had planted an improvised explosive device (IED).
“The JNIM armed group’s relentless, unlawful attacks put civilians across Burkina Faso at grave risk,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should urgently strengthen protection for threatened communities, investigate abuses, and fairly prosecute those responsible.” Graphic © 2026 Human Rights Watch. In September and October, Human Rights Watch remotely interviewed 15 people, including 4 witnesses to the Soubo attack and 3 to the Mera attack, as well as human rights defenders and journalists.
Human Rights Watch verified and geolocated four videos posted online showing the aftermath of the Soubo attack and analyzed satellite imagery and fire detection data to corroborate witness accounts. On September 1 at about 1 a.m., over 60 JNIM fighters riding motorbikes stormed an artisanal gold mining site about 1.5 kilometers northwest of Soubo village. They fired on civilians sleeping and working there, and at those trying to flee.
This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Human Rights Watch .