ANKARA

Turkey slammed a terror attack in Burkina Faso that claimed more than a dozen lives on Friday.

"We are saddened by the terrorist attack which took place in Tongomayel region in northern Burkina Faso claiming many lives," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist attack and offer our condolences to the brotherly people and Government of Burkina Faso," it added, expressing sympathy for the victims of the attack.

Burkinabe Defense Minister Cheriff Sy earlier said 17 people were killed after terrorists targeted a village located in the north of country, adding that security forces launched an operation to catch terrorists.

A total of 81 people lost their lives since April when terror attacks began to surge in the country, with seven of 13 regions currently administrated under a state of emergency.