Burkina Faso: Civilians Killed by Forces

What's happened

A Human Rights Watch report reveals that between January 2023 and August 2025, Burkina Faso's government forces and allied militias killed over 1,200 civilians, more than twice the deaths caused by jihadist groups like JNIM. The military targets Fulani communities, resulting in ethnic cleansing and widespread displacement of over 2 million people. Violence and abuses continue amid ongoing jihadist insurgency in the Sahel.

What's behind the headline?

Government Forces' Role in Civilian Deaths

The report exposes a grim reality: Burkina Faso's military and allied militias are responsible for significantly more civilian deaths than jihadist groups. This pattern undermines counterinsurgency efforts by alienating local populations, particularly the Fulani, who are often targeted as collaborators with militants.

Ethnic Targeting and Its Consequences

The military's de facto policy of reprisal attacks against Fulani villages amounts to ethnic cleansing, deepening social fractures and driving recruitment into jihadist ranks. This cycle of violence destabilizes the region further and complicates peace efforts.

Regional Implications

Similar patterns in Mali and Niger suggest a broader Sahel crisis where weak state control and military abuses fuel insurgencies. The spread of jihadist violence into new areas, such as western Niger, indicates expanding conflict zones.

International and Humanitarian Impact

The scale of displacement—over 2 million people—and the failure to hold perpetrators accountable pose severe humanitarian challenges. The military junta's censorship and repression hinder transparency and international response.

Forecast

Without accountability and a shift in military strategy, violence will likely escalate, worsening humanitarian conditions and empowering jihadist groups. International partners face a dilemma in supporting governments implicated in abuses while seeking regional stability.

How we got here

Since 2021, Burkina Faso has faced escalating violence from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, alongside harsh military responses. The 2022 military coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré intensified conflict, with government forces and allied militias accused of widespread abuses against civilians, especially the Fulani ethnic group, fueling displacement and humanitarian crises.

Our analysis

Human Rights Watch's detailed report, as covered by Al Jazeera and AP News, highlights that "of the 1,837 civilians killed in the country between January 2023 and August 2025, more than 1,200 were the result of government forces," with HRW accusing the military of ethnic cleansing against the Fulani. AP News quotes Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW's senior Sahel researcher, stating the death toll is "most likely a gross undercount because most instances go unreported." Reuters and France 24 provide complementary data from ACLED, showing that government forces in Burkina Faso and Mali have caused three to four times more civilian deaths than jihadists over recent years. Reuters notes that "Burkina Faso's security forces and allied militias 'appear to be more brutal and violent' than militant groups like the local al Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)." France 24 emphasizes the need for International Criminal Court investigations, naming senior military leaders and JNIM commanders as potentially liable for war crimes. The report also details specific deadly incidents, such as the December 2023 massacre near Djibo and the August 2024 attack in Barsalogho. Together, these sources paint a consistent picture of a brutal conflict where state forces contribute heavily to civilian suffering, complicating efforts to stabilize the Sahel region.

Go deeper

What are the main causes of civilian deaths in Burkina Faso?
How are jihadist groups like JNIM involved in the conflict?
What is the international response to the human rights abuses in the Sahel?