According to media reports from Ouagadougou, another terrorist attack in Soum Province in northern Burkina Faso killed at least 35 civilians and seven members of the country’s armed forces. Government forces repelled the attack during intense fighting and killed about 80 terrorists. President of Burkina Faso Roch Marc Christian Kabore has declared a two-day period of national mourning.

We resolutely condemn the barbaric actions of illegal paramilitary units and other extremist groups that have recently stepped up their activities in the Sahara-Sahel region, including Burkina Faso. We offer our condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.