US EditionHuman Rights Watch Says Burkina Faso Forces, JNIM Killed 1,837 Civilians
HRW said government forces and JNIM were responsible for 1,837 civilian deaths in 57 incidents, and described the abuses as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- On Thursday, Human Rights Watch released the 316-page report "None Can Run Away," documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Army, Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland , and JNIM.
- Between January 2023 and August 2025, the Army, VDPs, and JNIM killed at least 1,837 civilians across 11 regions in 57 incidents, including dozens of children, the report found.
- In one of the deadliest attacks, Burkinabe military and VDPs killed hundreds of civilians in December 2023 near Djibo; JNIM fighters in August 2024 "shot dead at least 133 people and injured more than 200 in fewer than two hours" in Barsalogho.
- Human Rights Watch called for investigations into transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traore and JNIM supreme leader Iyad Ag Ghaly for command responsibility, citing evidence these abuses amount to serious international crimes.
- Philippe Bolopion, executive director of Human Rights Watch, urged international partners to impose targeted sanctions and promote accountability, stating the world needs to recognize the "devastating impact" of the conflict.
25 Articles
25 Articles
HRW reports mass killings in Burkina Faso conflict, urging government action
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Wednesday that Burkina Faso’s military forces have killed around 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced others since 2023. The report documents widespread abuses by all sides to the conflict, warning that the scale and systematic nature of the violence may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It calls on Burkina Faso’s government to investigate and prosecute “armed groups responsible for…
Report Accuses Burkina Faso’s Government of Being Responsible for Majority of Civilian Deaths in Ongoing Conflict with Terrorist Organizations
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. A new report has found that the majority of civilian deaths in Burkina Faso’s ongoing conflict were caused by government forces and allied militias rather than jihadist groups. …
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