Northern Benin engulfed in violence, IS and Al-Qaeda named

On January 9, at least 28 soldiers were killed in an attack in northern Benin.

Members of terrorist organizations based in neighboring countries are responsible for the increase in attacks in northern Benin. (Source: AL24 News)

The attack occurred on the evening of January 8 near the border of Burkina Faso and Niger, two countries currently under attack by militants. The army is continuing to search for the attackers and has so far killed 40 people.

In recent years, the Benin government has blamed the increase in attacks in the north of the country on members of terrorist organizations such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda based in neighboring countries.

In December 2024, gunmen killed three soldiers and wounded four others guarding an oil pipeline in northeastern Benin. In June 2024, at least seven Benin soldiers were killed in an attack in Pendjari National Park, close to the Burkina Faso border.

In April 2023, Benin authorities said there had been about 20 cross-border incursions into the country since 2021. 121 Benin soldiers were killed between 2021 and December 2024.

In January 2022, Benin deployed nearly 3,000 border guards as part of Operation Mirador. The government recruited 5,000 more personnel to strengthen security in the northern border area.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mien-bac-benin-chim-trong-bao-luc-is-va-al-qaeda-bi-goi-ten-300364.html