OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's military-backed
president has said Russian troops could deploy to fight jihadists in the West
African country, if needed.
In an interview, Ibrahim
Traore said Russia was offering logistical and tactical training and was
willing to sell whatever weapons were required by Burkina Faso.
Mr Traore said there were no
restrictions on what could be bought from Russia, China, Turkey or Iran, unlike
other countries.
His comments come amid reports
that some 100 Russian fighters were last week sent to the African country as
military instructors.
The development also fuels
speculation of Burkina Faso deepening security ties with Russia like
neighbouring Mali, where Russian Wagner mercenaries operate.
The junta-led country's
relations with Moscow have been in the spotlight since it booted out French
troops in early 2023.
Burkina Faso has been battling
Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have taken over
large swathes of land and displaced millions of people in the wider Sahel
region.
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