FAB Air-Ground Operation in Soum Province Kills ~100 Militants Near Arbinda

In the night of April 13–14, Burkina Faso's armed forces (FAB) and the 28th Rapid Intervention Battalion conducted a major combined air-ground operation in Soum Province, Sahel Region, approximately 20 km northeast of Arbinda. Intelligence services identified a significant concentration of jihadist fighters who had arrived from the east to reinforce positions ahead of planned large-scale attacks. Following aerial reconnaissance confirmation, precision airstrikes targeted multiple enemy positions, destroying logistics, vehicles, ammunition, and a fuel depot. At dawn, ground units swept the area, eliminating remaining pockets of resistance. The FAB claimed approximately 100 militants neutralized — the most significant single FAB counterinsurgency action since the start of 2026 — along with the seizure of approximately 50 motorcycles, dozens of vehicles, assault rifles, and heavy machine guns. The Traoré junta cited the operation as evidence of the armed forces 'reconquering national territory,' with authorities claiming 74% of Burkina Faso's territory is under government control as of April 2026, a figure disputed by independent analysts and humanitarian organizations who estimate 40–60% state access.