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Christians Flee Burkina Faso after at Least 19 Christians Are Killed in the African Nation

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Updated Jun 13, 2019

At least 19 Christians were killed earlier this month in Burkina Faso in Africa.

According to French news channel France 24, the Christians were killed on June 9 in the Arbinda village in Burkina Faso.

An official told reporters that several dozen “armed men” attacked the village.

The Barnabas Fund says as many as 29 people could have been killed in the attacks after more deaths were reported.

"There is no Christian anymore in this town (Arbinda)," said a Barnabas Fund source, noting that all Christians in the area had fled the town.

"It's proven that they were looking for Christians," the source continued. "Families who hide Christians are killed. Arbinda had now lost a total of no less than 100 people within six months."

Some 80 pastors and 1,145 Christians in the area have fled the northern part of the country, Barnabas Fund sources said.

This isn’t the first attack in the area. In April, Islamic militants held a pastor, his son and four of church’s members at gunpoint. They demanded that they deny their Christian faith and convert. The group refused and was executed.

In May, gunmen and soldiers allegedly attacked churches in the Burkina Faso Central North Region.

“We’ve told ourselves our turn will come,” a pastor of one of the churches said in May. “Today Christians are potential targets. We’re all scared.”

Some 400 people have been killed in attacks and violence since 2015, according to the AFP.

France has deployed 4,500 soldiers to the African area for a mission dubbed “Barkhane.” They are working with local forces to fight Islamic soldiers.

A source for the Barnabas Fund told the organization that the area needs prayer.

“I know you are praying for the nations in difficulties including Burkina Faso. And please continue to do so,” the source said.

Photo courtesy: Pixabay