At least Seventeen people have been killed and scores injured in a “terrorist attack” on a Turkish restaurant in the center of the Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, the government says. “A terrorist attack at Istanbul restaurant on Ouagadougou’s Kwame Nkrumah Avenue claimed 17 victims, their nationalities are yet to be confirmed,” a government statement on Monday said, adding that 12 people had been injured.
Gunmen opened fire on customers seated outside the restaurant, witnesses said. Minister of Communication, Remis Dandjinou confirmed the attack on Monday that security forces mobilised, with two of the assailants reportedly killed.
No group has claimed responsibility but Burkina Faso has witnessed claimed by jihadist groups in recent times. The Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb have been linked to extremist attacks in Ouagadougou recently.
There is also a homegrown terror threat in Burkina Faso, from a local preacher, Ibrahim Malam Dicko, who radicalised his followers and has claimed recent deadly attacks against troops and civilians.
