Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) – Armed fighters killed eight people in northern Burkina Faso on Monday morning. The civilians were collecting water in the small town of Arbinda when the attack happened.

Over the last three days, the restive northern province of Soum has suffered several deadly attacks that have left more than thirty people dead. Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS are attempting to gain control of the strategic region located at the intersection of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

According to the mayor of Arbinda, Boureima Werem, the terrorist groups are targeting water towers and pumps in a new strategy. As is evidenced by recent attacks and many deaths over the last few days, the armed insurgents are wreaking havoc across the region.

This recent attack comes in the wake of two other separate incidents in northern Burkina Faso. At least 15 people, 13 of whom were military police officers, were killed in Namentenga province on Sunday. An additional nine people were killed in an attack on an informal gold mine located in Oudalan province.