Burkina Faso café attack

Gunmen attacked the Aziz Istanbul café in central Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Aug. 14, killing 18 people. Security forces killed two gunmen in an overnight siege of the building. The café was popular with tourists and expatriates; at least eight of those killed were foreigners.

The US Department of State warns of the risks of travel in Burkina Faso, especially the northern Sahel region, due to continuing threats to safety and security, including terrorism. Daesh, al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and al-Murabitun terrorist organizations and affiliates have declared their intention to attack foreign targets in North and West Africa, which includes Burkina Faso.