Burkina Faso Army Recaptures Towns Held by Militants for Seven Years

West Africa WeeklyMarch 9, 20261 Mins read1.4k

The armed forces of Burkina Faso say they have regained control of several towns that had been under militant control for years following a series of coordinated military operations in February 2026.

According to reports from the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the country’s Defense and Security Forces carried out the operations with support from the civilian militia group known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland.

By mid February, troops had successfully retaken a number of strategic localities in the Sahel region that had been occupied by armed groups since 2019. Among the towns brought back under government control were Tongomayel, Béléhédé and Pobé Mengao.

Military officials described the fighting as intense, particularly in northern areas where militant groups have maintained strong positions for several years. Despite the heavy clashes, security forces say the operations ended with the militants retreating from several strongholds.

On February 16, soldiers from the BIR 29 unit operating in the village of Pini reportedly confronted armed fighters and neutralized several of them while recovering weapons and other equipment. On the same day in Kantchari, militants fled their positions, leaving behind weapons and supplies.

Additional operations were carried out in areas including Diapaga, Djembédé, Lankoué, Koro, Lei and Bantoro near the Mouhoun region.

Later in the month, security forces also repelled an attack by militants in Kombouari in the eastern part of the country near Fada N’Gourma.

Authorities say the operations demonstrate growing military pressure on armed groups and reflect the determination of Burkinabe forces to restore control across the entire national territory.