HRW Says Burkina Faso Military, Pro-Govt Militias Targeted, Massacred Over 130 Fulani Civilians In One Month

The Burkina Faso military, in coordination with pro-government militias, carried out a campaign of mass killings targeting ethnic Fulani civilians in the country’s western Boucle du Mouhoun region, according to a damning new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The alleged atrocities took place during March 2025, with the number of civilian deaths exceeding 130 and possibly reaching hundreds.

The violence, which HRW said was spearheaded by the Burkinabè special forces as part of “Operation Green Whirlwind 2” (Operation Tourbillon Vert 2), occurred around Solenzo and neighbouring towns in Banwa and Sourou provinces.