The joint military operation by Burkina Faso and Niger has killed at least 100 extremists, according to officials.
The armed forces of Burkina Faso and Niger have arrested 20 rebel suspects in the last two weeks, according to a joint statement released on Friday. The announcement came after investigators seized significant equipment from these criminals who sought refuge across borders.
There were 13 deaths and seven injuries during this period, according to the report.
The report on the militaries’ campaign against extremist rebels comes amidst weeks of anti-government protests in Burkina Faso. Demonstrators are calling out for answers from a government that has been unable, so far, to stop attacks by groups aligned with al Qaeda and Islamic groups across West Africa’s poorest country.
Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore sacked his prime minister earlier this week in what analysts say was an attempt to show a stronger response to the extremist violence.
More than 1 million people have fled Burkina Faso this year due to jihadi attacks that have swept the country.
With more than 50 gendarmes killed in the Sahel region last month, it was the deadliest month for the security forces in recent memory.
