Burkina Faso's Interim President, Ibrahim Traore, issued a decree on the creation of the Special rapid intervention brigade, a large inter-army operational unit, to combat terrorism, Burkinabe state media reported.
The brigade will have its own headquarters, include special forces and rapid reaction groups, employees of the Republican guard, a support management group, a field artillery battalion, an aviation rapid response squadron, an armored rapid response battalion, a training and development Center for special rapid response units.
The main task of the new unit will be to fight against terrorism across the country through special operations. The unit will also ensure the security of the national territory, the protection of state institutions, important facilities and high-ranking officials. The brigade is expected to participate in missions abroad within the framework of bilateral or multilateral agreements.
Burkina Faso, has been struggling to combat a jihadist insurgency that spread into the country from neighboring Mali in 2015. In April 2023, following a series of terrorist attacks, the Burkinabe authorities declared a general mobilization in the country.