Human Rights Watch reported that at least 130 Fulani ethnic group members were killed by Burkina Faso’s army and allied militias near Solenzo in March 2025.

Despite earlier reports indicating government involvement in these killings based on video evidence, the Burkinabe government has denied these claims, condemning the spread of misinformation.

Rights groups have reported a climate of censorship under the military leadership, where dissenters face severe repercussions, including abduction and imprisonment.

Following the army's actions, the Islamist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched retaliatory attacks on villages perceived to have supported the military.

Burkina Faso, a nation of 23 million, is currently facing a severe security crisis, with over 60% of the country beyond government control due to violence from extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The military junta, which took power in 2022, has struggled to stabilize the country, resulting in over 2.1 million displaced individuals and nearly 6.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

The ethnic Fulani community, primarily pastoralist and Muslim, has been frequently accused by the government of supporting Islamist militants, a claim that community leaders vehemently deny.

Recent violence, including a large-scale military operation by Burkinabè special forces aimed at combating an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has led to significant civilian casualties and the displacement of the Fulani community.

Eyewitness accounts describe brutal attacks involving hundreds of government troops and drones, resulting in the deaths of many civilians, including women and children, as they attempted to escape.

Additionally, at least 100 civilians were killed in April 2025 in reprisal attacks by jihadist groups targeting those perceived as collaborating with the military.

Human Rights Watch's senior Sahel researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, has called for an impartial investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the mass killings, emphasizing the military's role.

This turmoil coincides with Burkina Faso junta leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a shift in alliances from France to Russia.