Army planes reportedly hovered on it when the killings occurred, showing command and control of the operation.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said at least 130 civilians belonging to the Fulani ethnic group were killed by Burkina Faso's army and allied militias.
The killings occurred in a week-long military campaign by special forces, resulting in “widespread civilian deaths and mass displacements” in the region’s Fulani pastoral community, rights groups said in a report on Monday.
It added that an al-Qaeda-related group called Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), followed by a series of retaliatory attacks that attacked what the armed groups believed to be assisting the army.
"Viral videos of pro-government militias near Sorenzo" radiated in his mind "only part of the story told""Saying in a statement.
"Further research has found that Burkina Faso's army is responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians, followed by fatal revenge by Islamic armed groups," Allegrozzi added.
“The government needs to investigate these deaths impartially and prosecute all those responsible.”
HRW reported in March that government involvement may be due to online video evidence.
At the time, the government strongly denied the allegations and said in a statement that “images that spread, induce hate and community violence, and false information designed to undermine social cohesion” on social media.
The government and army in Burkina Faso did not immediately respond to Monday’s report, which claimed that the Burkinabi army “led and participated in the massacre of more than 130 people and that there may be more Fulalani people in the pro-government militia.”
The report of the Rights Organization is based on interviews with witnesses of attacks, militias, journalists and civil society members.
HRW quoted witnesses saying hundreds of government forces and drones, as well as a pro-government militia called the "VDP Volunteer of Land Defense (VDP) Volunteer", were involved in the attacks on Sorenzo and other towns in the Western Fox region.
Witnesses said most of the victims in Banwa province were women, children and elderly people.
HRW said military helicopters and drones monitored the area, "indicating direct control of the operation."
A 44-year-old Fulani Herder, who lost eight family members, told HRW that thousands of families from more than 20 villages were forced to flee to neighboring Mali for protection.
"But we wouldn't be able to reach Mali without VDPS and military-occupied villages. VDPS fired at us like animals, while drones flew over our heads. Many women and children died from being unable to run," he said.
Military rulers came to power in Burkina Faso in 2022, but they largely failed to provide the promised stability, as more than 60% of the country are estimated to exceed government control.
The military also turned to mass recruitment of civilians deployed in trained militia units, resulting in increased tensions between races.