Fifteen soldiers were killed and one was injured as a result of a series of mine explosions yesterday morning in Burkina Faso, DPA reported, citing information from the country's armed forces, BTA reported.

The army said a vehicle that was part of a military convoy hit a mine in the north of the country.

During the initial rescue operation, a second mine was detonated, possibly remotely triggered, the army statement added.

Burkina Faso, with a population of around 21 million people, has been gripped by a severe humanitarian and political crisis since 2019.

There, as well as in neighboring Mali and Niger, armed groups are active, some of which are loyal to the terrorist groups "Islamic State" or "Al Qaeda".

The situation is further aggravated by prolonged droughts and famine.

Since the coup in January, Burkina Faso has been ruled by the military.

The army in Burkina Faso announced it had ousted the president and suspended the constitution