In late August, Burkina Faso witnessed one of the deadliest Islamist extremist attacks in the country’s history, further showcasing the increasing dangers Christians face in the region.
Over the course of two days, militants carried out a brutal killing spree, targeting both civilians and Christians. According to Christian Solidarity International, up to 400 people were killed, and hundreds more were injured. The coordinated attacks took place in the northern town of Barsalogho and the western town of Sanaba, with civilians caught off guard as they dug trenches under military orders.
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On Aug. 25, the situation took an even darker turn when militants stormed a Protestant church in Sanaba during a Sunday service. They tied the hands of 26 Christian men and executed them by cutting their throats, according to eyewitness accounts and reports by The Christian Post. Survivors sought refuge in a nearby school, but the trauma of the attack will linger long after.
These killings mark a grim chapter in the ongoing jihadist insurgency that has plagued Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region since 2012. Multiple terror organizations, including those associated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, have intensified their efforts to destabilize governments and impose Islamist rule. This surge in violence has devastated communities, leaving many Christians particularly vulnerable to persecution.
In addition to the violence, the militants reportedly burned homes, stole livestock and even accidentally killed two of their own members due to an improvised explosive device. The aftermath has left communities shattered and in desperate need of basic necessities such as food, shelter and medical care.
Burkina Faso is ranked 20th on the Open Doors World Watch List for 2024, as evidenced by the severe persecution facing local Christians. Along with physical aid, the need for prayer is paramount. Christians in Burkina Faso are in great need of strength and endurance in the face of increasing danger, and it is up to the global church to pray for their safety, resilience and faith amid this ongoing persecution.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
