Russia is withdrawing 100 paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to support its war efforts in Ukraine, following Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region. These officers are part of the Bear Brigade, a Russian private military company that arrived in Burkina Faso in May to bolster the military junta led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré. This pull-out raises concerns about escalating Islamist insurgencies in Burkina Faso, where jihadist attacks have displaced over two million people since 2015. Recently, up to 300 people were killed in Barsalogho, northern Burkina Faso, in an attack claimed by al-Qaeda-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The Bear Brigade’s sudden departure leaves the Burkinabè junta, which has struggled to contain these attacks despite seeking Russian military support, in a precarious position as they face increasing instability.
SOURCE: BBC
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