OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso's Combatant Forces successfully rescued nearly 1,000 civilians from a terrorist ambush in the Eastern region on Friday, August 9, 2024, before launching a decisive counterattack that resulted in significant losses for the enemy. The operation, which involved both ground troops and substantial air support, underscores the ongoing efforts of the Burkinabe military to reclaim territory from armed groups in remote areas of the country.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the incident began when the Forces de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS) and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) were conducting a resupply mission in the eastern zone. As they were ambushed by armed terrorist groups, the soldiers quickly formed a protective shield around the civilians they were accompanying, escorting them to safety and preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss of life.

Once the civilians were secure, the Combatant Forces, supported by air units, retaliated against the attackers. The ensuing battle forced the terrorists to flee, leaving behind stolen vehicles, which were subsequently destroyed by targeted airstrikes. The aerial campaign continued as the terrorists attempted to regroup, resulting in the destruction of additional enemy forces and equipment in the Nassougou forest.

The confrontation did not end there. Throughout the night and into the early hours of August 10, the air units continued to track and strike fleeing terrorists, eventually neutralizing a group that had taken refuge in a building within the forest. The building was obliterated in a final missile strike.

In a separate incident on Sunday, August 11, 2024, four terrorists who returned to the scene to retrieve the body of their leader were also eliminated by a missile strike, further demoralizing the enemy forces.

These operations are part of a broader campaign by Burkina Faso's military to restore peace and reclaim territories from terrorist control. In the days leading up to the August 9 operation, the Combatant Forces achieved several other victories across the country. On August 8, air support was provided to a VDP post under attack near Séguénéga, forcing the enemy to retreat. On August 7, a unit ambushed a gang of criminals in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, neutralizing several terrorists and recovering weapons.

The ongoing territorial reconquest operations, supported by both ground and air units, continue to demonstrate Burkina Faso's commitment to defeating terrorist threats and restoring stability across the nation.