The government of Benin has confirmed that 54 soldiers were killed in a recent attack by the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), linked to Al Qaeda. The attack took place last week in the northern region of the country, targeting two military posts.
While the militant group claimed responsibility and reported 70 deaths, Benin’s official figures indicate a lower but still devastating toll. A presidential spokesperson described the incident as a heavy national loss.
Benin, along with its neighbor Togo, has faced a growing threat from extremist groups expanding southward from the Sahel. These groups, affiliated with both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, have increasingly targeted coastal West African nations.
Another government official reiterated the country’s determination to fight back against the insurgents, expressing confidence that victory is possible despite the mounting challenges.
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The wider regional conflict began in 2012 with a rebellion in Mali and has since engulfed several countries, resulting in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and political instability, including multiple military coups in the region.
Recent reports suggest that fighters from the Sahel have also moved across Benin’s border into Nigeria, raising further regional security concerns.