Twenty-eight soldiers lost their lives in a recent attack in northern Benin, highlighting the escalating violence attributed to jihadist groups operating from neighboring countries. The assault occurred Wednesday evening near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, regions plagued by ongoing insurgency.
Authorities have noted a significant rise in such attacks in northern Benin, linking them to militants associated with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. A military source indicated that ongoing operations have resulted in the neutralization of 40 assailants during these confrontations.
The violence predominantly affects the border areas with Burkina Faso. In December, gunmen targeted soldiers protecting an oil pipeline in northeast Benin, resulting in three fatalities and four injuries. Additionally, seven Beninese troops were killed in an attack at Pendjari National Park earlier in June.
Officials reported that there have been approximately 20 cross-border incursions since 2021, with a diplomatic source revealing that 121 military personnel have died in such conflicts between 2021 and December 2024. The situation is described as increasingly dire, with deteriorating conditions in Niger and Burkina Faso directly impacting Benin’s security landscape.
Benin’s military is reportedly still in the process of strengthening its forces, struggling to train personnel while addressing ongoing threats. Although the military has had some successes in counter-terrorism operations, information about these efforts is kept limited to avoid alerting extremist groups.
In response to the growing threats, Benin deployed nearly 3,000 troops for border security through Operation Mirador in January 2022 and has since recruited an additional 5,000 personnel to bolster defenses in the northern regions. International support has also been significant, with recent contributions including $6.6 million in armored vehicles and defense equipment from the United States, along with €47 million ($49 million) in anti-terror funding from the European Union.
The security concerns extend beyond Benin, as neighboring countries like Ghana and Togo have also experienced jihadist attacks in recent years.
