12 soldiers killed in jihadist attack on Burkina Faso army
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Authorities say at least 12 soldiers are dead after dozens of Islamic extremists attacked an army barracks in northern Burkina Faso.
The jihadists stormed the barracks early Friday in Nassoungou, a town near the Malian border that is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) from Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou.
The assailants also set fires to the premises, including tents and military vehicles, a security official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists.
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There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
This West African country has seen a number of assaults since al-Qaida-linked extremists attacked in Ouagadougou in January, killing 30 people.
Burkina Faso's president was set to travel to Nigeria for a meeting on the Gambia crisis but has canceled his trip.