Benin’s military forces suffered a devastating attack near the border with Niger and Burkina Faso, two regions plagued by ongoing insurgencies.
Colonel Faizou Gomina, the national guard’s chief of staff, confirmed that one of the army’s most fortified positions in the north was hit on Wednesday evening. “We’ve been dealt a very hard blow,” he remarked, without providing specific casualty figures.
While the perpetrators of the attack have not been identified, northern Benin has seen a surge in violence attributed to jihadist groups operating from neighboring countries. According to a diplomatic source cited by AFP, more than 120 Beninese soldiers have been killed in similar attacks between 2021 and December 2024. 
The Democrats, Benin’s main opposition party, reported that about 30 soldiers were killed in the Alibori region. A security source corroborated this, stating the death toll was 28. In response, the military launched cleanup operations, reportedly neutralizing 40 assailants.
This recent attack underscores the growing security challenges facing Benin despite efforts to bolster defenses. In 2022, the country deployed nearly 3,000 troops to strengthen its northern border and combat cross-border incursions. However, the scale and sophistication of Wednesday’s assault highlight the urgent need for enhanced strategies.
Col Gomina acknowledged the setback and urged military commanders to adapt their approaches. “Wake up, officers and section chiefs, we have battles to win,” he declared, signaling the need for a decisive response to the escalating threat.
The attack follows a December 2024 incident in which gunmen killed three soldiers guarding an oil pipeline in the northeast, further demonstrating the persistent instability in Benin’s northern region.
As the country grapples with the rising tide of insurgent activity, the latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to the threat of jihadist violence.
Read More:
