SW News: Burkina Faso is mourning the death of 30 civilians, 14 soldiers and three army auxiliaries who were mowed down by suspected jihadists on Wednesday, August 18, in the northern part of the country.

According to a government statement, a mixed convoy of civilians, members of the defense and security forces (FDS) and volunteers for the defense of the fatherland (VDP) came under terrorist attack 25 km away in Gorgadji in the north. Apart from 47 casualties, 19 people were gravely wounded. The statement said 58 terrorists also lost their lives.

President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré announced a three-day state of mourning to pay homage to the victims of the killing. The attack took place in Gorgadji, a town in the province of Séno in the north which is also known as the triangle where Burkina Faso borders Mali and Niger. This part of the country has been constantly ravaged by jihadists who sow fear and destruction in the three countries.

The latest attack is the third in a two-week series of strikes on soldiers battling jihadis in the north and northwestern parts of the country. The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the end of the French military operation in neighboring Mali early next year have given jihadists in the Sahel region a shot in the arm.

Leader of the Group for Support for Islam and Muslims Iyad Ag Ghali paid tribute to the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as declared by the Taliban when they captured Kabul.