Terrorism in Burkina Faso refers to non-state actor violence in Burkina Faso carried out with the intent of causing fear and spreading extremist ideology. As of 2026, Burkina Faso faces significant danger from terrorist groups, mainly from Islamic extremist groups such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State, and is widely regarded as one of the countries most impacted by terrorism.
Counter-terrorism efforts by Burkina Faso include domestic and regional security efforts, and preventing terrorism-related economic transactions. Citing the government's failures to stop Islamic extremists, however, elements of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces led a September 2022 coup d'etat that unseated interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, replacing a military government that seized power that January for the same reasons. Under interim president Ibrahim Traoré, who led the September coup and heads the nation's military junta, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, Burkina Faso has ended French assistance against terrorism in favor of aid from Russia, China, Turkey and was a founding member of the Alliance of Sahel States. In a similar time frame in the context of the larger War in the Sahel several groups, most notably JNIM, rapidly expanded operations and non-state forces controlled over half the country.
Background Independence to 2015 Prior to 2015, there were no recorded terrorist incidents in Burkina Faso. However, the country experienced seven coups during this time period, the most of any African country. Additionally, there were some reports that terrorist financing and fund-raising were taking place domestically.
Some argue that then-President Blaise Compaoré, who was in power from 1987 to 2014, partnered with terrorist organizations. While most research suggests that partnerships between Compoaré and terrorist organizations did exist, the exact nature of these agreements remains unverified. In particular, some reports show that Compaoré brokered an agreement with Tuareg rebel groups in Mali associated with al-Qaeda. In trade for operating in Burkina Faso, the Tuareg groups and associated terrorist organizations allegedly agreed not to carry out attacks within the country.
In addition, Compaoré allowed special forces from France and the U.S. to operate in Burkina Faso, serving as a key partner for counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel. Such partnerships led to descriptions of Burkina Faso as "West Africa's linchpin" by the media. Linchpin states signify "crucial but endangered allies" in "creating a global anti-terror regime."
First coup and aftermath (2015-2018) During this time period, attacks in Burkina Faso increased both in number and fatality rate. Such incidents garnered international attention, especially including three major terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
According to Joe Penney, this spike in activity can perhaps be attributed to the current government's discontinuation of Compaoré's practice of negotiating with terrorist organizations. Another more referenced cause is the weakened Burkina Faso security apparatus.
In 2014, popular uprisings removed Compaoré from power. Following his removal, the Burkina Faso Regiment of Presidential Security (French: Régiment de la Sécurité Présidentielle, RSP), who was loyal to Compoaré, carried out a coup in 2015 against the transitional government. Although the coup failed, the RSP was dissolved, weakening the state security apparatus and allowing terrorist organizations to increase their operations domestically. The RSP included about 1,300 soldiers and had received training from the U.S. and France in counterterrorism practices. Following its dissolution, this technical expertise and manpower was no longer available to contribute to security efforts. For comparison, Burkina Faso's entire Armed Forces currently has approximately 11,200 personnel − the RSP thus constituted about 10% of Burkina Faso's army.IISS Military Balance 2012, 423–424.
More recently, human rights organizations have also accused the security forces of carrying out "atrocities...leaving scores dead and forcing tens of thousands of villagers to flee their homes." Some argue that the human rights abuses conducted by the security forces in the name of counterterrorism undermines their effectiveness at preventing terrorist attacks, because abuses make locals less likely to collaborate with security forces against terrorist organizations.
In response to the increased terrorist threat, in November 2016, Burkina Faso decided to withdraw its soldiers from United Nations peacekeeping in Sudan to refocus military efforts on fighting terrorism domestically and to help reinforce existing security forces.
State of emergency (2018-2022) Beginning in December 2018, there was a spike in terrorist activity in Burkina Faso. Over a two-month period, there were eight terror attacks, killing over thirty people altogether (see List of terrorist incidents below).
In response to a terror attack near the border with Mali on December 27, 2018, that killed ten gendarmes, the Burkina Faso government declared a state of emergency in several northern provinces. The state of emergency began on January 1, 2019, and included the following fourteen provinces.
Boucle du Mouhoun: Kossi, Sourou Centre-Est: Koulpélogo Est: Gnagna, Gourma, Komandjari, Kompienga, Tapoa Hauts-Bassins: Kénédougou Nord: Lorum Sahel: Oudalan, Séno, Soum, Yagha
As part of the declaration, the government authorized curfews, restrictions on movement, searches of private property, weapons confiscation, and prohibiting pro-terrorism publications. The government ruled that any terrorist crimes would be tried in military, not civilian, courts.
Even with these amended regulations, several terrorist attacks occurred during January 2019. In response, on January 19, former Prime Minister Paul Thieba resigned from office. For months leading up to his resignation, the opposition had called for Thieba to step down due to the failure of the government to stop terrorist attacks. Although Thieba did not provide the reason for his resignation, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré likely pressured Thieba to resign due to the high-profile terrorism-related kidnapping of foreigners in Burkina Faso in December.
Coups d'etat and rise of JNIM (2022-present)
In January 2022, the Burkina Faso Armed Forces led by Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba launched a coup against president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. Detaining Kaboré, other government officials and dissolving the government and constitution, the military formed the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration. Damiba used terrorism as a justification for the coup. Burkina Faso was suspended from the African Union and ECOWAS following the coup.
Again citing concerns over the government's handling of the worsening terrorism crises, dissidents in the armed forces launched another coup in 2022 led by captain Ibrahim Traoré. Under Traoré, Burkina Faso saw the complete departure of French Forces, and closer relations with Russia, Turkey and China, with Russia becoming a close ally. In addition, Burkina Faso formed a security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with fellow coup belt members Mali and Niger in 2023. The tripoint the countries share of Liptako-Gourma is noted for having been a hotspot of unrest and rebellion in recent decades In 2024, Burkina Faso welcomed fighters from Russia's Africa Corps (formerly the private Wagner Group).
The early 2020's also saw the rise of Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) from a coalition al-Qaeda affiliate to one of the largest and deadliest terror groups in the world. In 2022, Burkina Faso experienced over 2,000 JNIM-linked incidents. According to a report from Vision of Humanity, using data from the Institute of Economics and Peace, Burkina Faso accounted for 15% of all terrorism deaths in 2025, second to Pakistan, but still saw the largest decrease in deaths from the previous year. In 2026, JNIM attacks caused the deaths of 755 people in Burkina Faso, the highest of any country they operate in. Attacks include mass assaults on Burkinabe military installations and sieges on civilian locations. JNIM and other militant groups continue to hold significant areas of Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger. In addition to JNIM attacks, Burkinabe armed forces, militias, and the Russian Africa Corps have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.
During the same time, the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) also seized land and is responsible for many attacks. In 2019, a war broke out between JNIM and ISSP that has seen fighting occur across the Sahel. ISSP has been reported to be more concerned with controlling territory than JNIM, but JNIM has been able to prevent ISSP's further expansion.
Terrorist organizations Several different terrorist organizations have claimed responsibility for attacks in Burkina Faso. Most attacks are carried out by foreign-based organizations, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, usually from neighboring Mali. Such organizations tend to focus on religious extremism and anti-Western sentiment. However, some organizations also target Burkina Faso because of communal frustration over the lack of economic development. In particular, terrorist organizations are able to recruit people in Burkina Faso, due to disillusionment about the stagnating economy.
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliates Prior to 2017, most attacks were carried out by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). AQIM is the North African branch of al-Qaeda (AQ), based in Mali. AQIM has conducted attacks all over the Sahel. For example, AQIM and its affiliate, al-Mourabitoun, claimed responsibility for the 2016 Ouagadougou attacks. These two organizations had merged one month earlier in December 2015, although they previously had a contentious relationship. Following the merger, many expected the danger posed by AQIM to the region to increase.
Other AQ affiliates that have participated in terrorist activity in Burkina Faso include: Ansar-ul-Islam lil-Ichad wal Jihad (IRSAD), which is led by a radicalized Burkina Faso preacher, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), a breakaway group from al-Mourabitoun that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/IS), Macina Liberation Front, a Mali organization that has worked with AQIM, and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), a breakaway group from AQIM.
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen In March 2017, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) formed from the merger of AQIM, Ansar al-Dine, and al-Mourabitoun. Since's its formation, it has developed into one of the largest terror organizations in the world. A 2025 estimate put them at nearly 6,000 fighters, led by Iyad ag Ghali and Amadou Koufa. JNIM is noted for their high centralization at the top of the organization and cooperation with al-Qaeda, while also being adaptable at the lower levels and adapting their recruiting to fit local needs. The group also targets roads and supply chains to further disrupt government and mercenary forces fighting them, and has conducted sieges on towns and cities in Burkina Faso and Mali. JNIM, in addition to holding territory in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali has also committed attacks in Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Islamic State and its affiliates The Islamic State also has a significant presence in the region, led by their affiliate Islamic State - Sahel Province (ISSP). Originally known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, it was led by Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahraoui until his death in a French drone strike in 2021. Following a reorganization in 2022, it was declared a province as the group seized territory and attempted to form a proto-state.
List of major terrorist incidents