Burkina Faso's army liquidated more than 60 militants of armed terrorist groups in the eastern part of the country, the Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP) news agency reported.
According to media reports, clashes between units of the armed forces and terrorists occurred in the Burkinabe province of Kulpelogo. The militants attacked the country's village of Kongore, in response, the military launched an offensive operation that resulted in the elimination of around 63 terrorists, including about 10 field commanders wanted by the special services.
Following this, another militant group entered Kulpelogo province from the territory of neighboring Ghana; the group was also destroyed, the outlet noted.
Burkina Faso has been struggling with the terrorist activity since 2015. There are several international extremist groups operating in the country, including the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara* (ISGS), a part of the Daesh*.
According to non-governmental monitor ACLED, at least 17,000 civilians and military personnel have been killed by militants in Burkina Faso since 2015. About two million people were forced to leave their homes.
With a view to improving the security situation in the country, Burkina Faso is developing military cooperation with Russia. In late August, Russia's Deputy Defense Minister, Yunus-Bek Evkurov, discussed with the Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traore the possibility of strengthening the defense and military partnership between the two states.
* Terrorist organizations banned in Russia and many other states.