Fifty-three die in Burkina Faso jihadist clash - Army

[File: Reuters]

Fifty-three members of Burkina Faso's security forces have died in heavy clashes with Islamist militants, the army has said.

The fatalities occurred on Monday while the forces were repelling an "attack" by jihadists, a statement released the following day said.

The fighting had taken place in the northern Yatenga province, where the army has been trying to reclaim territory.

Extremists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have been carrying out frequent attacks in Burkina Faso since 2015.

Several militants in Monday's clash had been "neutralised" in a counter-operation, the army said, while fatalities on the military's side comprised of 17 soldiers and 36 civilian volunteers.

Last year, two military coups were carried out in Burkina Faso. Like in neighbouring Mali and Niger, the soldiers' key reason for seizing power was the growing threat from jihadists.

None of the three military regimes have so far managed to reduce the violence.

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