Burkina Faso Strengthens Its Fight against Terrorism: New Brigades in “Vulnerable Areas”

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Burkina Faso is bolstering its “vulnerable areas” against terrorism by creating new military brigades tasked with eradicating extremist pockets and restoring sovereignty across its entire territory.

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The Burkinabé army is particularly relying on rapid intervention brigades, units stationed in specific areas that can quickly respond to and preempt terrorist attacks.

Since the fall of former President Blaise Compaoré’s regime following a popular uprising in 2015, Burkina Faso has been embroiled in a political crisis that quickly escalated into a security issue with terrorists targeting military personnel, civilians, and foreigners.

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New Brigades

Just two days after his New Year’s address, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, leader of the ruling military council in Burkina Faso, announced the creation of three new rapid intervention brigades.

Based in Diapaga, Ougarou, and Arbinda, these new units will bring the total number of such brigades to 28, part of a plan by the military council leader to reorganize Burkina Faso’s armed forces.

In his New Year’s address to the nation, Traoré had pledged to intensify the fight against armed terrorist groups to restore sovereignty over the entire national territory.

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According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), the three new rapid intervention brigades will be deployed in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country.

Two of them, Brigades 26 and 27, will be stationed in Ougarou and Diapaga, respectively, areas where residents still face extortion by terrorists.

A resident from these regions told the French broadcaster, “The terrorists still impose a tax of 50,000 CFA francs per inhabitant.”

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He added, “I had to borrow money to send this amount to my parents who stayed there.” Now seeking refuge in the capital Ouagadougou, he hopes these new brigades will genuinely help anticipate attacks by armed groups.

In total, at least five new rapid intervention brigades are expected to be created in 2025.

The 28th rapid intervention brigade will be stationed in Arbinda, in the Sahel region, where, according to reports, the last supply convoy arrived in November after four months of shortages.

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Missions

These new units will be tasked with responding to any threats to Burkina Faso’s territorial integrity, providing escort for large logistical convoys, and participating in combating organized crime alongside internal security forces.

In his New Year’s address, Captain Ibrahim Traoré promised the creation of at least five new rapid intervention brigades in 2025, aiming to intensify the battlefield efforts to reclaim “the entirety of Burkina Faso’s territory.”

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Since coming to power, Ouagadougou has turned its back on France, the former colonial power and historic partner of the country, and has drawn closer to Russia.

In addition to Russia, Burkina Faso has also strengthened ties with its neighbors, Mali and Niger, which are similarly facing attacks by extremists and are governed by military regimes that have overthrown their respective governments.

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