Burkina Faso PM says civilians killed in jihadist attack lacked protection

DAKAR (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's prime minister said on Wednesday scores of civilians killed in an attack by Islamist militants while digging defensive trenches on army orders had not been adequately protected.

A group of victims' relatives said at least 400 people were shot dead on Aug. 24 when residents of Barsalogho in north-central Burkina Faso were attacked as they dug protective trenches, some of them against their will. Other tolls put the number of deaths lower.

The attack was one of the worst in Burkina Faso's history, and a setback for the junta that seized power in September 2022 vowing to tackle an insurgency that spread from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

Addressing a flag-raising ceremony in the capital Ouagadougou, Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela described the attack as a tragedy that occurred because people were deceived.

"The head of state gave necessary instructions for protecting the population when there are collective mobilisations such as this one," said Tambela, who was installed by junta leader Ibrahim Traore.

"Why were these instructions not respected?" Tambela asked.

Authorities have said little about the attack, causing a public outcry. They have said civilians, soldiers and volunteer army auxiliaries were killed, but have not provided a death toll.

Al Qaeda affiliate JNIM, which said it carried out the attack, has warned civilians against endorsing the army in its fight against the insurgency that spread from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

Traore has relied heavily on civilians joining the army as volunteer auxiliaries, but insecurity has worsened and civilian casualties have risen, partly because of retaliation for their involvement with the army, analysts say.

Traore called in May for civilians to help dig trenches around towns and villages.

A group of victims' relatives formed after the Barsalogho attack said many residents had been forced to take part against their will. Some were beaten when they refused.

The junta has not responded to several requests for comment on the attack.

Several sources told Reuters there had been concerns that trench digging would provoke jihadists that have kept the town under blockade for at least two years.

Militants fired on civilians and soldiers alike, according to a woman who survived the attack.

The United Nations estimated a death toll of around 200. JNIM said it had killed nearly 300 "fighters".

(Reporting by Dakar bureau, Writing by Sofia Christensen, Editing by Timothy Heritage)