Kaya:Forty-four combatants, including seven Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), were honored in Kaya on Sunday, November 1, 2026, during the celebration of the sixty-sixth anniversary of the National Armed Forces (FAN). This recognition was given in acknowledgment of their loyalty, selflessness, and commitment to defending the national territory.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony saw the awarding of thirty-two Military Medals, three Combatant's Crosses, two Firefighters' Medals of Honour, and seven VDP Medals of Honour to distinguished combatants from the first military region. The event, themed "National Armed Forces and Military Reserves for a Sovereign Defense of the Homeland," featured a military parade and a speech by Lieutenant Colonel Hamado Bambara, who read on behalf of the Minister of State, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, Major General Célestin Simporé.

During the proceedings, the senior officer praised the public's engagement, noting that 86,000 individuals had joined the military reserve within nine months. He emphasized the importance of citizens' collaboration with the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the VDP, highlighting the crucial role of intelligence in combating terrorism.

Captain Inoussa Sanané, representing the award recipients, dedicated the honor to soldiers actively deployed, especially remembering those who were wounded or had fallen. National Volunteer for the Defense of the Homeland, Tidbamba Zallé, also expressed his gratitude to President Captain Ibrahim Traoré and reiterated the volunteers' dedication to reclaiming the territory and safeguarding its integrity.