Burkina Faso: 305 hostages freed during security forces’ offensive

Burkina Faso’s Defense and Security Forces recently carried out an operation in Solenzo, in the Boucle du Mouhoun region (West), to rescue 305 individuals held hostage by terrorists, according to a report aired Saturday evening by Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB, the national broadcaster).

According to RTB, the 305 people—mainly family members—were being held in a forest in the Boucle du Mouhoun region and used as “human shields” by the terrorists.

Following their release, the former hostages were transferred to Ouagadougou to receive medical and social assistance, said government spokesperson Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, who visited them along with an official delegation.

“The Ministry of Health has mobilized a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, to provide care. Some of them are suffering from malaria, malnutrition, and psychological trauma. All are currently receiving appropriate treatment,” Ouédraogo explained.

Meanwhile, in a statement released Saturday, the Burkinabe government urged residents living in forests and high-risk areas to stay away from terrorist bases and report any suspicious activity.