OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso –  A security official in Burkina Faso says several suspected Islamic militants have launched a rare attack near the West African nation’s border with Mali.

Witness Alassane Hamidou said at least two people were wounded in Monday night’s attack.

Hamidou told The Associated Press that his life was spared by the attackers because he’s Muslim and they were looking for Christians.

The security official who confirmed the attack spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media.

It wasn’t immediately clear who was behind the violence, though neighboring Mali is home to an array of extremist groups.

Burkina Faso has largely been spared jihadi violence destabilizing nearby countries. However, a Romanian security officer working at a mine in Burkina Faso was kidnapped nearly five months ago.