Battle of Koumbri

Last updated
Battle of Koumbri
Part of Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso
DateSeptember 4, 2023
Location
Result Indecisive
Belligerents

Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Burkina Faso

Islamic State flag.svg Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
Casualties and losses
53 killed
~30 injured
Several dozen killed or injured (per Burkina Faso)

On September 4, 2023, clashes broke out between jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Burkinabe soldiers backed by pro-government VDP militiamen in the village of Koumbri, Yatenga Province, Burkina Faso. The battle left over fifty Burkinabe soldiers and militiamen dead and an unknown number of jihadists killed.

Contents

Background

Violence by jihadist groups increased exponentially since the September 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état that overthrew putschist Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who came to power in a coup that January. [1] Much of the violence was caused by the al-Qaeda-aligned Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin and it's affiliates in Burkina Faso and the Islamic State – Sahil Province, which have besieged towns and launched deadly attacks on Burkinabe soldiers and pro-government militiamen. [2]

The town of Koumbri was captured by jihadists in 2020. [3] On September 2, 2023, the Burkina Faso Armed Forces deployed to the commune of Koumbri with the objective of reestablishing themselves and "enabling the resettlement" of local populations which had fled the town over two years prior. [4] When the soldiers arrived, brief clashes erupted with small pockets of jihadist resistance being crushed by the army. [4] Once reestablished, the soldiers combed through mostly abandoned houses in Koumbri. [4]

Battle

The 12th Infantry Commando Regiment of the Burkinabe army, based in Ouahigouya, was present in Koumbri during the recapture. [5] Militiamen from the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) also supported the army. [3]

On the morning of September 4, jihadists from JNIM launched an attack on the Burkinabe soldiers in Koumbri. The soldiers were caught between "intense fighting" and "harassing fire." [4] [5] Burkinabe officials stated that the attack was repelled, and that aerial reinforcements helped break the attack. [6] However, Jeune Afrique reported that following the attack, the jihadists remained in Koumbri without being disturbed by remaining Burkinabe soldiers. [4] Jeune Afrique also mentioned there were no airplanes above the town, and that the only reinforcements were ambulances that arrived the next day at 10am to collect the dead and injured. [4]

The attack was claimed on September 6 by JNIM. [7] The Burkinabe army claimed victory, but acknowledged heavy losses. On September 5, Burkinabe officials reported that 17 soldiers and 38 VDP were killed. [6] They also mentioned that around thirty injured were evacuated. [6] The Burkinabe government also stated that several dozen jihadists were killed or injured. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso</span> Ongoing insurgency in Burkina Faso (2015–present)

An ongoing war and civil conflict between the Government of Burkina Faso and Islamist rebels began in August 2015 and has led to the displacement of over 2 million people and the deaths of at least 10,000 civilians and combatants.

On June 11, 2022, jihadists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked the town of Seytenga, Séno Province, Burkina Faso, killing over a hundred civilians in a massacre. The massacre occurred after Burkinabe forces evacuated the city following ISGS' takeover of the Burkinabe base in the town on June 9.

On March 20, 2022, unknown jihadists ambushed Burkinabe soldiers in Natiaboani, Gourma Province, Burkina Faso, killing thirteen soldiers and an unknown number of jihadists.

On June 17, 2017, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked Malian forces in Bintagoungou, Tombouctou Region, Mali.

On March 5, 2017, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked Malian forces in Boulikessi. The attack was the first by JNIM since its inception that month.

On February 28, 2024, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked the Malian military camp in Kwala, a village near Mourdiah, Mali. The attack was the first suicide car bombing by the group since 2022, and was part of a campaign by JNIM to expand influence in Koulikoro Region. Over thirty Malian soldiers were killed in the attack.

On 26 May 2024, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) jihadists attacked a Malian Army and Wagner Group base in Mourdiah, Koulikoro Region, Mali. The attack was repelled, and dozens of jihadists were killed.

On October 12, 2016, jihadists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked Burkinabe troops at Intangom, Tin-Akoff Department, Burkina Faso, killing four soldiers,

On December 27, 2018, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin attacked Burkinabe soldiers in Loroni, northern Burkina Faso, killing ten soldiers. The attack was the deadliest incident for Burkinabe forces since the Nassoumbou attack in 2016.

On August 19, 2019, jihadists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked Burkinabe forces in Koutougou, Soum Province, Burkina Faso. 24 Burkinabe soldiers were killed in the attack, and Burkinabe authorities were forced to abandon military outposts in several northern Burkinabe towns following the attack. The attack was the deadliest jihadist attack in Burkinabe history up to that point.

On August 4, 2021, jihadists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked several towns and Burkinabe bases in Markoye Department, Oudalan Province, Burkina Faso. Several rural villages were raided and civilians were killed, and the jihadist raids on Burkinabe bases in Tokabangou sparked battles that killed dozens of Burkinabe soldiers and ISGS fighters. The attacks were the deadliest day for the Burkinabe government since the Solhan and Tadaryat massacres in June 2021.

On August 8, 2021, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin ambushed Burkinabe forces in Dounkoun, Toeni Department, Burkina Faso, killing twelve soldiers.

On August 18, 2021, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin ambushed a convoy of Burkinabe soldiers and civilians near Boukouma, Séno Province, Burkina Faso. The ambush sparked clashes between the jihadists and the soldiers, leaving dozens dead on both sides. At least 65 civilians were killed in the ambush as well.

On December 23, 2021, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Ansarul Islam attacked Burkinabe forces in Titao, Loroum Province, Burkina Faso, killing 41 soldiers. The attack was one of the deadliest attacks against Burkinabe soldiers in the country's history, and occurred just over a month after an attack on Inata killed over fifty soldiers. News of the attack sparked protests across Burkina Faso.

The siege of Madjoari began in February 2021 and lasted until May 25, 2022, as part of the jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso. Jihadists from Ansarul Islam and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin began attacking the city, controlled by Burkinabe forces and the pro-government Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and ambushed Burkinabe troops and cut off supply lines. Civilians in Madjoari starved, and almost all of them fled to elsewhere in Burkina Faso or to Benin. In May 2022, as the siege came to an end, the jihadists overran the Burkinabe military base and then massacred over fifty civilians fleeing in the Singou massacre.

On May 21, 2022, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin attacked the city of Bourzanga, Burkina Faso, but the attack was repelled by Burkinabe and French forces.

The Tin-Ediar attack or Déou attack occurred on February 17, 2023 when Burkinabe soldiers were ambushed by the Islamic State – Sahil Province (ISGS) near the village of Tin-Ediar while travelling between Déou and Oursi, Burkina Faso. Over 70 Burkinabe soldiers were killed in the ambush, and Burkinabe authorities stated 160 ISGS fighters were killed.

On April 27, 2023, jihadists from the Katiba Hanifa of Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin launched an attack on Burkinabe forces in Ougarou, Est Region, Burkina Faso. Around 33 Burkinabe soldiers and VDP were killed along with 40 jihadists.

On June 26, 2023, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin ambushed a Burkinabe convoy near Namssiguia, Bam Province, Burkina Faso. The attack and subsequent battle killed 34 Burkinabe soldiers, with Burkinabe authorities stating over 40 jihadists were killed.

On June 26, 2023, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin attacked pro-government Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) militiamen in Noaka, Sanmatenga Province, Burkina Faso. Over 33 VDP were killed in the attack, and Burkinabe officials claimed that over 50 jihadists were killed.

References

  1. "Militant Islamist Group Violence Engulfs Burkina Faso" (PDF). Africa Center for Strategic Studies. August 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  2. "The juntas dig in as instability worsens". www.africa-confidential.com. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  3. 1 2 "Au Burkina Faso, plusieurs dizaines de soldats et miliciens tués dans une attaque". France 24 (in French). 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Au Burkina Faso, comment l'armée a été piégée à Koumbri - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  5. 1 2 "Burkina Faso: 53 soldats et supplétifs de l'armée tués dans une attaque de jihadistes présumés". RFI (in French). 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Burkina/Attaque à Koumbri : Plusieurs dizaines de terroristes neutralisés, 53 militaires et VDP tombés (communiqué) - leFaso.net". lefaso.net (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  7. Zonebourse (2023-09-07). "Un groupe affilié Al Qaïda revendique l'attaque menée lundi dans le nord du Burkina Faso - Zonebourse". www.zonebourse.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-23.