Spain: Bodies of 3 Europeans arrive from Burkina Faso

bodies of two Spanish journalists and an Irish wildlife campaigner killed by jihists in Burkina Faso this week were flown home Friday as several European countries vowed to keep fighting extremism in Africa's Sahel region.

David Beriáin, 44, and Roberto Fraile, 47, journalists with a long record of experience in conflict zones, h joined Irish conservationist Rory Young on an anti-poaching patrol led by a special military wildlife force in eastern Burkina Faso when ir convoy was ambushed by jihists on Monday.

three Europeans and one Burkinabe soldier were killed, according to Spanish authorities.

government of Burkina Faso said that six or people were wounded.

bodies of Europeans were flown overnight from capital of African nation, Ouagougou, on an Airbus provided by Spanish military.

A guard of honour carried ir coffins out of aircraft on arrival at a military airport near Mrid, where relatives of Spanish journalists awaited.

two-person crew was making a documentary on how Burkina Faso's authorities are tackling poaching, also focusing on communities of people living in park.

Young, director of Chengeta Wildlife Foundation, was leing patrol in country's Arly National Park, said a statement by group on Facebook.

Two soldiers wounded in attack said y tried to protect foreigners during fighting that lasted three hours, but were outnumbered by jihists.

soldiers insisted on anonymity because y were not authorised to speak to media.

Burkina Faso has been overrun by attacks linked to Islamic extremists that have killed thousands and displaced more than 1 million people.

Violence has surged this week in hard-hit parts of country, like east as well as north.

same day anti-poaching patrol was ambushed, 18 people were killed by gunmen in Sahel region.

In a statement earlier this week, government said that "terrorists have carried out acts of intimidation, looting, and assassination on civilian populations."

governments of Spain, France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement that y were committed to supporting violence-struck region with military training and supplies, but also with humanitarian aid to provide much-needed stability re.