Burkina Faso

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all governed by military juntas, have agreed to establish a joint security force, according to a report by Reuters.

Niger has authorized the armed forces of Mali and Burkina Faso to intervene on its territory in the event of an attack on the country, Reuters reported, citing a joint statement by the three African countries. This was reported by BTA.

According to the agency, this is a possible sign that Niger's junta plans to continue resisting regional pressure to back down.

The army took power in Niger. In a televised address, the military announced that President Mohamed Bazoum had been removed from power and that all institutions and state borders would be closed until further notice, BTA reported. The message was read on national television by Colonel Amadou Abdraman.

Forty-four civilians have been killed by "armed terrorist groups" in two villages in northeastern Burkina Faso, near the Niger border, a regional governor said Saturday.

Suspected jihadists have massacred at least 138 civilians in Burkina Faso's volatile north in the deadliest attacks since Islamist violence erupted in the west African country in 2015, officials said on June 5.

Turkey on June 6 denounced an attack by unidentified assailants in northern Burkina Faso that left over 100 people dead.

The attack occurred in a village in Yagha province in the Sahel region overnight on June 4.

"We strongly condemn this heinous attack," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu addressed on Romania's behalf today's ministerial meeting of the International Coalition for the Sahel, highlighting in this context the participation of Romanian experts in EU military and civilian training missions in the region.

Turkey on Feb. 17 condemned a terrorist attack that killed at least 24 people when gunmen attacked a church in northern Burkina Faso.

"We condemn this terrorist attack. We extend our sincere condolences to the brotherly Government and people of Burkina Faso as well as to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives," Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

At least 24 people were killed in a church attack by about 20 jihadists in Pansy village in Burkina Faso,. The pastor was among the killed. At least ten others were injured and three were abducted, the Associated Press reported.

Among the dead are both Christians and Muslims. The church was set on fire.

Gunmen killed 24 civilians, including a church pastor, and kidnapped three others on Feb. 17 in Burkina Faso, an official said. It was the latest attack against a religious leader in the increasingly unstable West African nation.