Dozens die in Burkina Faso as Islamist militants raid convoy

Dozens of people have been killed in northern Burkina Faso  when Islamist militants raided a civilian convoy that was being escorted by military police.

The incident was   the latest in a spate of attacks in the country  this month.

President Roch Kabore ordered three days of national mourning following the attack on the road between Gorgadji and Arbinda, one of Burkina Faso’s most volatile zones.

Government says, thirty civilians, 14 military police and three pro-government militiamen were killed, while 30 people were wounded.

It added that 58 militants were killed in the ensuing clashes with security forces.

Militants linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic state regularly carry out attacks in Burkina Faso and neighbouring Mali and Niger, killing hundreds of civilians this year alone.