Egypt voiced solidarity with Burkina Faso on Saturday against violence and extremism a day after armed assailants killed around 100 civilians in an overnight raid on a village in the north of the country.

The Egyptian foreign ministry in a statement condemned the “terrorist” attack, extended sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished the wounded people a speedy recovery.

“The Egyptian government and people stand side by side with Burkina Faso and [voice] solidarity with it in the face of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism,” the statement added.

The attackers struck during the night on Friday, killing residents of the village of Solhan in Yagha province bordering Niger. They also burned homes and the market, the government said in a statement.

The government, declaring a 72-hour period of national mourning, described the attackers as terrorists but no group immediately claimed responsibility, Reuters reported.

Attacks by Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State in West Africa's Sahel region have risen sharply since the start of the year, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with civilians bearing the brunt.

The violence in Burkina Faso has displaced more than 1.14 million people in just over two years, while the poor arid country is also hosting some 20,000 refugees from neighbouring Mali who are seeking safety from jihadists.

In March, attackers killed 137 people in coordinated raids on villages in southwestern Niger.