Scene of Burkina Faso attack
Scene of Burkina Faso attackReuters

Soldiers launched an operation against suspected jihadists in Burkina Faso on Sunday night, after gunmen attacked a café in the capital Ouagadougou, AFP reported.

At least 17 people were killed and eight were wounded in the attack, according to the report.

Eyewitnesses quoted by the news agency said that three armed men arrived in a 4x4 at around 9:30 p.m. and opened fire on customers seated outside the café.

Police and army arrived at the scene and sporadic gunfire could be heard into the night.

Burkina Faso, which borders Mali and Niger, has seen a string of attacks claimed by jihadist groups in recent years, noted AFP.

The worst attack was an assault on a hotel and nearby café in central Ouagadougou in January 2016 that killed 30 people including several foreigners.

Two months later, at least 14 civilians and two soldiers were murdered in a shooting attack in neighboring Ivory Coast. The attack targeted the Grand Bassam beach resort that is often frequented by Western tourists.

Several witnesses revealed the attackers shouted "Allahu akbar" during the attack. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) later claimed responsibility.