Burkina Faso forces crush terrorist offensive in decisive victory
We wrote it. We announced it. In the wake of the diplomatic rupture with France, Burkina Faso would see a resurgence of terrorist attacks. The facts proved us right and quickly. But what we did not anticipate was the swiftness of the response from the valiant National Armed Forces, backed by the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland.
On June 30, armed groups launched coordinated attacks against several military positions at Gayéri in the Sirba region, as well as at Solhan and Sebba in the Liptako region.
A classic scenario from the international terrorist network, which visibly sought to inflict a heavy human toll both civilian and military precisely as Faso had just asserted its sovereignty vis-à-vis Paris.
A troubling coincidence, which the General Staff of the Armed Forces did not fail to highlight.
But they had not counted on the determination of the FAN and the VDP. According to the General Staff communiqué published Wednesday, July 1, ground units, backed by aerial assets, immediately and vigorously struck back.
The toll is unequivocal: more than 400 terrorists neutralized, over 250 motorcycles recovered, 353 weapons of all calibers seized, along with ammunition and communication equipment.
A resounding rout inflicted on the forces of chaos who thought they could exploit a moment of diplomatic fragility to plunge the land of upright men into mourning.
We salute here, with immense pride, the professionalism and courage of our National Armed Forces and our VDP.
These men and women often young, sometimes under-equipped against enemies financed by shadowy networks continue to pay the blood price so that the nation may live.
Three of them fell in combat: two at Solhan and one at Gayéri. To their families, we extend our compassion and eternal gratitude. To the wounded, we wish a swift recovery.
This victory is not merely military; it is also symbolic. It demonstrates that a people standing united behind its army and its Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, does not yield to destabilization maneuvers, regardless of their origin.
While some, in Paris and elsewhere, multiply accusations without evidence against Burkina Faso, our soldiers remain on the ground, on the front lines, securing the territory meter by meter.
Let this resounding victory at Gayéri, Solhan, and Sebba serve as a warning: Burkina Faso will not bend.
Maurice K.ZONGO
