Two Spanish Reporters Killed in Burkina Faso

Two Spanish reporters have been killed in Burkina Faso after an ambush on an anti-poaching patrol.

THE Spanish President has confirmed that two Spanish reporters have been killed in Burkina Faso after an ambush on an anti-poaching patrol.

The two reporters were kidnapped on Monday and Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish President, has now tweeted “the worst news is confirmed.”

Sanchez named the reporters as David Beriain and Roberto Fraile.

He tweeted: “All the affection for the relatives and friends of David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, murdered in Burkina Faso. And our recognition to those who, like them, carry out courageous and essential journalism from conflict zones on a daily basis.”

Arancha González Laya, the Spanish Foreign Minister, told journalists on Tuesday that although the information coming out of the West African country was “confusing,” everything indicated that two bodies found in the area were those of the missing journalists.

The two reporters were in the Pama area of the country making a documentary on poaching in the region, alongside an Irish citizen, González Laya said.

The Irish foreign ministry told Euronews: “The Department is aware of the reports and is liaising closely with international partners regarding the situation on the ground.”

The area is very dangerous and a place where terrorist groups, poachers, bandits and jihadists operate, according to González Laya.

The reporters were involved in a patrol of around 40 Burkinabe anti-poaching troops, which was attacked by armed individuals.

Attacks carried out by jihadist groups including the Islamic State have displaced over one million people in the country and killed thousands.

Heni Nsaibia, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, said: “Foreign nationals are a preferable target to be used as bargaining chips in exchange for ransom.”

Since the beginning of the 2000s, militant groups have created a kidnapping industry in the Sahel. Five foreign hostages are currently still missing, including two taken from Burkina Faso, Nsaibia said.

Source: Euro News