A report released on Thursday, April 2, 2026, by Human Rights Watch alleges that Government forces in Burkina Faso killed more than twice as many civilians as jihadist groups between January 2023 and August 2025.
The report documents at least 1,837 civilian deaths during the period, with over 1,200 attributed to state forces, raising concerns over widespread abuses by both the military and extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda.
Researchers say the violence amounts to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, citing targeted killings, including an incident in 2024 where government forces allegedly executed 223 civilians in Yatenga province. Jihadist fighters were also implicated in deadly attacks, including one that killed more than 100 civilians.
The report further accuses authorities under President Ibrahim Traoré of overseeing a crackdown on dissent and media, limiting information about the conflict. It also highlights alleged ethnic targeting of Fulani communities and reprisals against villages suspected of supporting militants.
The conflict, part of a broader security crisis in the Sahel, has displaced more than two million people and left large parts of the country outside government control, with humanitarian needs continuing to rise.