IED Kills 35 Civilians In Suspected Terror Attack In Burkina Faso

In northern Burkina Faso, a roadside bomb killed at least 35 people and injured scores more. While no one has claimed responsibility, terrorists with ties to al-Qaida or the Islamic State are strongly suspected.

The BBC reports that the majority of those killed were either businesspeople on their way to stock up on supplies in the capital or students returning for the start of the new semester.

At least five explosions have occurred in the province since August.

CNN reported in January on a military coup in Burkina Faso that had overthrown an elected administration. Proponents of the coup said the country would be safer under military rule in the face of rising terrorist threats.

The Associated Press reports:

At least 35 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a convoy was attacked by a roadside bomb in northern Burkina Faso.

Lt. Col. Rodolphe Sorgho, governor of the Sahel area, stated in a statement that on Monday, a supply convoy accompanied by the army was attacked while traveling between the villages of Bourzanga and Djibo. One of the trucks included civilians.

He reported that the injured had been removed and the blast site had been secured.

Despite the fact that no organization has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, Islamic extremist rebels are the most likely suspects. Thousands have died as a result of violence in Burkina Faso that has been linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization.

According to an internal security report for humanitarian workers seen by The Associated Press, this is the fifth explosion in Soum province since August, and the area around Djibo has been under siege by jihadists for months.