Burkina Faso Military Accused of Trapping Civilians in Besieged Areas In Burkina Faso, civilians and aid workers said that the military is preventing people from leaving towns under siege by jihadist groups, forcing residents to stay in perilous conditions of hunger, insecurity and lack of access to basic services. Soldiers have turned people away from military convoys, threatened or attacked those trying to flee and justified the restrictions as a patriotic duty to defend the country. Critics say the alleged measures aim to create the impression that the government's counterinsurgency campaign is succeeding while downplaying the scale of displacement. However, authorities have not responded to the allegations. The military government's claims of improved security remain disputed, with rig