Deadly attacks by extremists strike Burkina Faso capital
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Islamic extremists struck the French Embassy and army headquarters in simultaneous attacks of gunfire and explosives Friday in Burkina Faso’s capital, killing eight people and wounding more than 80 others. All eight militants were slain by security forces.
The violence, which the government called a terrorist attack, marked a further deterioration in the former French colony’s perilous security situation. Islamic militants already have struck twice since January 2016 in the West African country, prompting criticism of the military response each time.
No group claimed responsibility for Friday’s attacks.
One of the militants’ assaults destroyed a room in the army headquarters where senior officers were to have met but was relocated at the last minute, according to Security Minister Clement Sawadogo.