Benin’s military has suffered significant losses in a border attack near insurgency-affected Niger and Burkina Faso, according to national authorities.
Colonel Faizou Gomina, Chief of Staff of the National Guard, confirmed that one of the country’s most fortified military positions in the northern region was targeted on Wednesday evening.
“We’ve been dealt a very hard blow,” Col. Gomina admitted, without specifying the number of casualties.
Rising Jihadist Threat
While no group has claimed responsibility, the attack is believed to be linked to jihadist insurgents operating from neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso. These regions have been hubs for extremist activity in recent years, with Benin experiencing increased spillover violence.
Since 2021, more than 120 Beninese soldiers have reportedly been killed in such incidents, a diplomatic source told AFP.
Casualty Figures and Ongoing Operations
The opposition party, The Democrats, claims that approximately 30 soldiers were killed during the attack in the Alibori region, according to Reuters. A security source cited by AFP placed the death toll at 28.
Col. Gomina stated that cleanup operations are ongoing, and military sources confirmed that 40 assailants have been neutralized so far.
Strategic Blow
The attacked position, described by Col. Gomina as “one of the strongest and most militarized,” underscores the vulnerability of even well-fortified locations to coordinated assaults. He urged military officers to reassess their strategies to better address evolving security threats.
“Wake up, officers and section chiefs. We have battles to win,” Col. Gomina declared.
Broader Security Efforts
In response to escalating cross-border threats, Benin deployed nearly 3,000 troops in 2022 to bolster northern defenses and curb incursions. However, attacks continue to highlight the challenges facing the nation as it grapples with growing instability along its borders.
This latest assault follows a December attack in which gunmen killed three soldiers and injured four others guarding an oil pipeline in the northeast.
Benin’s government and military are now under increased pressure to strengthen their counter-insurgency efforts to safeguard national security and prevent further escalation.
