A single soldier and 39 suspected jihadists died in a 10-day security operation in volatile northwestern Burkina Faso, the army said on Friday. The sweep completed last Saturday was planned to restore security to Banwa province near the Mali border, an area which has been wracked by violence. "Offensive land operations combined with air strikes and artillery brought major tactical results," an army statement said. The statement listed "at least 15 terrorists killed" on 2 December at Bolomakote in Bondokuy department and a military ambush on 7 December in which 24 suspects were killed near Ouarkoye. READ | 'Immediate suspension, until further notice' - Burkina Faso suspends French broadcaster RFIOne of the world's poorest countries, Burkina has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2015.

Source: News 24 December 16, 2022 19:39 UTC