Gunmen attacked a village in Burkina Faso, resulting in the tragic death of at least 15 Catholic worshippers who had gathered for mass at a church in the conflict-ridden northern region, as reported by church officials.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday in the village of Essakane, is described as a “terrorist attack” by Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, the vicar-general of the Catholic Diocese of Dori, where the assault took place.

Twelve individuals lost their lives on the spot, and three others succumbed to their injuries during subsequent medical treatment. Two additional individuals sustained injuries in the attack.

As of now, there is no claim of responsibility for the shooting.

The shooting occurred in a region where armed groups have carried out numerous attacks, some specifically targeting Christian churches, while others involved the abduction of clergy.

Approximately half of Burkina Faso is currently beyond the control of the government, as armed groups have inflicted widespread devastation for years, Al-Jazeera reported.

These fighters have been responsible for the deaths of thousands and the displacement of over two million people, posing a significant threat to the nation’s stability.

Burkina Faso witnessed two coups in 2022, adding to the challenges faced by the country.

Since the initial coup in January 2022, the military rulers have grappled with the task of restoring peace in the violence-stricken areas.

The toll exacted by armed groups has almost tripled compared to the preceding 18 months, as indicated by an August 2023 report from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

Written by B.C. Begley