A deadly raid on the northern town of Djibo has shaken Burkina Faso’s ruling junta, exposing security weaknesses and igniting concerns over possible infiltration within civilian auxiliary forces tasked with supporting the military.
The attack, claimed by the Islamist militant group Ansarul Islam, left an undisclosed number of casualties and caused significant damage to both military and civilian infrastructure. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire and explosions during the hours-long assault, which targeted key security positions in and around the town.
Djibo, a strategic hub near the Malian border, has long been on the frontline of Burkina Faso’s fight against armed insurgent groups. It is also heavily guarded by both regular troops and members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), a government-backed civilian auxiliary force.
However, the scale and precision of the latest raid have raised alarming questions. Security analysts and local residents are voicing fears that the attackers may have received insider information, allowing them to bypass certain defensive positions.
“This was not just a random strike — they knew where to hit and when,” said a security source in Ouagadougou who requested anonymity. “The possibility of infiltration within the VDP is a serious concern for the junta.”
The military government, which seized power in 2022 promising to restore security, has relied heavily on the VDP to hold territory in rural and border areas. While the auxiliaries have played a crucial role, human rights groups have warned about insufficient vetting, inadequate training, and the risk of recruitment by armed groups.
In a brief statement, the Burkinabe Armed Forces confirmed the attack and vowed to “hunt down and neutralize” those responsible. No official death toll has been released, but sources in the region suggest dozens may have been killed or wounded.
Ansarul Islam, founded in 2016, was the first homegrown jihadist movement in Burkina Faso and maintains links with al-Qaeda affiliates operating in the Sahel. The group has carried out several high-profile attacks in recent years, often targeting northern towns and security convoys.
For residents of Djibo, already living under intermittent siege conditions due to insurgent blockades, the attack has deepened fears for the town’s survival. “We have nowhere else to go,” said one resident reached by phone. “If Djibo falls, the whole north is in danger.”
The junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, is now under renewed pressure to demonstrate it can protect both strategic urban centers and rural communities. With rising insecurity and mounting distrust in the auxiliaries’ ranks, the Djibo raid could mark a turning point in Burkina Faso’s volatile conflict.
