The attack occurred in the town of Natiaboani, located in the nation's troubled eastern region, where several armed groups are active.

The attack on the mosque tragically coincided with another deadly incident, as gunmen opened fire during Sunday mass at a Catholic church in Essakane, northern Burkina Faso, killing at least 15 people.

The Federation of Islamic Associations strongly condemned the attacks, calling them "despicable and cowardly." They stated that those killed included the grand imam and several worshippers, acknowledging this as a provisional toll. Officials fear the actual number of casualties could be higher, with unverified social media reports suggesting a potentially greater death toll from the mosque attack.

Burkina Faso has been grappling with an insurgency that spilled over from neighboring Mali in the past decade, displacing thousands of people from their homes. This latest violence highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by the West African nation. (ILKHA)