The Facts
According to a Human Rights Watch report published on Thursday, Burkina Faso's troops have killed 223 civilians in attacks on two villages accused of collaborating with suspected Islamist militants.
The mass executions, which allegedly included 56 children, occurred in the Nondin and Soro villages in the northern Yatenga province on Feb. 25.
The Spin
Narrative A
This latest massacre proves that Burkina Faso's military junta has lost all respect for protecting civilian well-being. Under the guise of fighting terrorism, the regime repeatedly carries out atrocities against civilians to demonstrate its power and intimidate the people. Meanwhile, violent Islamists are on the rise since the country turned away from the West and embraced Russia. The suffering population deserves the regime to be held accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Narrative B
Interestingly, Burkina Faso only makes the headlines when scores of people are killed in the conflict-ridden country. Western organizations then prefer to blame the government, although it's doing its utmost to protect the population from Islamist terror. It must also be noted that it was the West's military interventions in Libya and Mali that destabilized the entire region. Against all odds, Burkina Faso will continue to fight for the security and freedom of its people.