The death toll from an Islamists ambush on Burkina Faso soldiers has hit 24, the heaviest loss for the country’s troops in its fight to crush terrorism.

Seven other soldiers were wounded and five are reported still missing following the Monday attack in the northern Soum province.

According to security sources, the attackers are reported to have used heavy weapons in their ambush, and burned a large portion of the camp and material.

Prior to Monday’s attack, the the heaviest armed attack against Burkina Faso’s army occurred in December 2016 and killed 12 soldiers at Nassoumbou, also in Soum province.

Burkina Faso has been dogged by war for years, with most attacks attributed to the Ansarul Islam group and the al-Qaeda affiliated JNIM (Group to Support Islam and Muslims).

Hundreds of people have been killed and over 150,000 forced to flee their homes.

West African country has launched security measures to crush the militant groups, and has received help from France.

Burkina Faso is also part of the G5 Sahel force which also includes Chad, Mauritania, Niger and Mali. The anti-terror force, once in place, will see 5,000 troops from the five countries fight militancy in the region.

Following Monday’s attack, Burkina Faso’s army said it had launched a land and air operation in Soum province to crush the militants.