Burkina Faso Military Accused of Ethnic Massacre in Boucle du Mouhoun Region

The killings, which occurred during a major military operation, have sparked international condemnation and calls for an impartial investigation amid ongoing violence and reprisals in the region. 

Burkina Faso, a West African nation grappling with a persistent Islamist insurgency, has seen escalating violence since the military seized power in 2022. The government, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has shifted its security alliances from France to Russia to reclaim territory from armed groups. 

However, this shift has coincided with reports of widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings of civilians by both state forces and non-state actors.

The Fulani, a pastoralist ethnic group, have frequently been accused by authorities of supporting Islamist militants, making them particularly vulnerable to targeted violence by both the military and rival militias.

HRW’s report, based on witness testimonies, video analysis, and interviews with local journalists and civil society representatives, alleges that Burkinabè special forces and pro-government militias carried out mass executions of Fulani civilians during "Operation Green Whirlwind 2" in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. Army aircraft reportedly hovered overhead as the killings unfolded, indicating command-level involvement.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation, with bodies scattered across villages and families fleeing en masse. “All the men had been executed in front of the health centre,” a 60-year-old woman told investigators, “I counted up to 70 bodies”. HRW estimates the true death toll could be significantly higher, as many villagers fled and some bodies remain unaccounted for.

In response to the massacre, the Al Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) launched a series of retaliatory attacks in Sourou province, targeting communities perceived as supporting the military. At least 100 civilians were killed in these reprisals, compounding the humanitarian crisis and fueling cycles of violence.

The Burkinabè government has denied the allegations, condemning the circulation of graphic images and what it described as “false information aimed at undermining social unity”. However, rights groups and foreign governments, including the UK and the US, have called for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible.

HRW and other observers warn that the pattern of mass civilian killings by both state and non-state actors may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. The United Nations and African Union have been urged to prioritize civilian protection in Burkina Faso and support impartial inquiries.

Multiple Perspectives

Human Rights Watch: Emphasizes the need for impartial investigation and prosecution of all perpetrators, warning that ongoing abuses risk further destabilizing the region.

Burkinabè Government: Rejects the accusations, framing them as attempts to sow division and undermine national unity.

International Community: Expresses grave concern, calling for respect for human rights, media freedom, and the rule of law as essential to long-term stability.

The massacre in Solenzo underscores the deepening humanitarian and security crisis in Burkina Faso, where cycles of violence between the military, pro-government militias, and Islamist armed groups continue to claim civilian lives. Without credible investigations and accountability, there is a risk of further ethnic polarization and mass displacement. The situation also poses a broader challenge for regional stability in the Sahel, where terrorism-related deaths have surged, and state legitimacy is increasingly contested.