Seventy Beninese soldiers were reportedly killed during coordinated raids on two military posts in the northeastern part of the country, according to a claim released Thursday by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), a West African affiliate of al-Qaeda. The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist communications, reported the announcement on Saturday.
The attacks allegedly took place in Kandi province, located in the Alibori department, more than 500 kilometers from Cotonou, Benin’s capital. If confirmed, the incident would represent the deadliest single assault by jihadists on Beninese soil since the insurgency began spreading from the Sahel into coastal West Africa.
Benin’s military has yet to confirm the casualties. Attempts to reach army spokesperson Ebenezer Honfoga were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to multiple calls and messages.
Over the past few years, Benin and its neighbor Togo have become increasingly vulnerable to spillover violence from militant groups operating across the Sahel, where both al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates have been active. The insurgency gained momentum following a 2012 Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali, eventually sweeping across Burkina Faso and Niger.
The violence has displaced millions and destabilized much of the region, contributing to a wave of military coups between 2020 and 2023 in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These countries have since broken off military cooperation with traditional allies like France and the United States.
