Attacks in Burkina Faso capital near French embassy, military HQ
The capital of Burkina Faso came under an assault on Friday, with attacks unfolding near the French embassy, the French cultural center, and the country's military headquarters, said a report. Witnesses said five armed men got out of a car and opened fire on passersby before heading towards the embassy, in the center of the city. Heavy exchanges of gunfire were also heard.
Police and army units deployed in attack site
There was also a vehicle on fire, which witnesses said was the car used by the assailants. Police and army units were deployed in the area. Other witnesses said there was an explosion near the headquarters of the Burkinabe armed forces and the French cultural center, which are located about a kilometer from the site of the first attack.
Burkina Faso is one of those countries battling jihadist groups
Burkina Faso is one of a string of fragile countries that are battling jihadist groups. The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths, prompted tens of thousands to flee their homes and dealt crippling blows to economies that are already among the poorest in the world. Earlier last year, two assailants opened fire on a restaurant on Ouagadougou's main avenue, killing 19 people.
