More than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since the military seized power in 2022, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch, which accuses both government forces and Islamist militants of committing serious abuses that may amount to war crimes.
The report documents at least 1,837 civilian deaths in 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025. It attributes most of the killings, about 1,255, to the military and allied militias, while Islamist armed groups were responsible for the remaining deaths.
Burkina Faso has faced a worsening security crisis for more than a decade, driven by insurgent groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The military, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, seized power in September 2022, promising to restore stability and contain the insurgency.
Human Rights Watch says the situation has deteriorated, with civilians increasingly targeted.
All sides are responsible for war crimes including willful killing, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, pillage and forced displacement, the report said.
The organisation added that President Traoré and six senior military commanders may be liable under the principle of command responsibility. It also identified five jihadist leaders as potentially responsible for abuses.
Burkinabé authorities have not commented on the report but have previously rejected accusations that their forces target civilians.
Allegations of atrocities and impunity
Human Rights Watch accuses the junta of committing horrific abuses while failing to hold perpetrators accountable. The report also alleges that authorities have restricted media coverage, limiting global awareness of the crisis.
“The scale of atrocities taking place in Burkina Faso is mind boggling, as is the lack of global attention,” said Philippe Bolopion, executive director at Human Rights Watch.
One of the deadliest incidents cited occurred in December 2023 in the northern town of Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were allegedly killed by government forces and allied militias.
Witnesses described scenes of extreme violence. A 35 year old woman told researchers that her two daughters were killed instantly, while she and her nine month old son were injured by gunfire.
Survivors reported hearing militia members instructing fighters to ensure no one was left alive before leaving the area. Many described the killings as butchery and said they continue to suffer severe psychological trauma.
Civilians caught between armed groups
The report highlights how civilians are trapped between government forces and jihadist groups, particularly Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin, one of the most active militant organisations in the region.
The group has been accused of using violence and intimidation to control communities, targeting civilians who refuse to comply or are suspected of supporting the government.
In August 2024, attackers killed at least 133 people and injured more than 200 within two hours, according to the report.
At the same time, government backed militias known as the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland have also been implicated in abuses. These civilian auxiliaries were created to support the army but have faced allegations of carrying out reprisal attacks.
Some critics have accused the junta of forcing dissenters to join the group as punishment. Traoré has defended the policy, saying national survival outweighs individual freedoms.
Civilians interviewed described living in constant fear, threatened by jihadist groups on one side and government forces on the other. Many said they feel trapped with no safe option.
Calls for international action
Human Rights Watch is urging the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into alleged crimes committed by all parties since September 2022.
The group also called on Burkina Faso partners to reassess cooperation with the military government, including imposing sanctions and suspending support to security forces implicated in abuses.
Burkina Faso is part of a broader shift in West Africa, where military governments in Mali and Niger have also taken power in recent years. These countries have distanced themselves from Western allies, particularly France, and strengthened ties with Russia for military assistance.
Despite these changes, violence has continued to escalate across the region, with millions displaced and large areas outside government control.
Human rights groups warn that without accountability and stronger international engagement, civilians will remain the primary victims of a conflict that shows little sign of ending.
