Armed men attacked the town of Barsalogho, 45 kilometres north of Kaya, on Sunday 10 July. Five civilians, including a child, were killed and several soldiers were injured. Faced with the enemy’s persistent assault, the defence and security forces had to retreat. But the arrival of reinforcements forced the attackers to retreat. Yesterday, Monday, the attackers returned to the charge before being repelled a second time by the army. These attacks are causing great concern among the local and surrounding populations.
The people of Barsalogho have been living a nightmare since Sunday 10 July 2022. They are being targeted by heavily armed groups who struck successively on Sunday and Monday. In the first attack, which took place on Sunday, six people including a child were killed. Several soldiers were injured and important equipment was taken away or destroyed by the attackers. They laid siege to the area for some time before being pushed back with the arrival of ground and air reinforcements from the regular army. The day after the first attack, the assailants returned to the scene. After heavy gunfire, the attackers are again repelled.
For the time being, the real identity of the gunmen is not known. But witnesses say they came on motorbikes and had music devices.
The defence and security forces are doing their best to secure the area. But this does not reassure the inhabitants of Barsalogho who are seeking to return to the town of Kaya, some 40 kilometres away, said a security source. According to the same source, all localities are threatened after this second attack, including Kaya.The source also states that the town of Kaya will probably be visited by the attackers. But it will be difficult to control and secure because of the bush and land movements.
