According to Mashreq, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group called Jamaat al-Nusra al-Islam announced that it had killed at least 70 soldiers in attacks on two military bases in northern Benin in West Africa. This is the highest number of alleged casualties by terrorists in Benin in more than a decade of terrorist activity in West Africa.
Benin and its coastal neighbor Togo have been the target of repeated attacks by groups affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaeda in recent years. After expanding their influence in the Sahel region, these groups have now penetrated further south, such as northern Benin. Reuters has not yet been able to independently confirm the report. Benin’s army spokesman, Ebenezer Honfuga, has also not responded to calls or messages.
According to a statement released by the terrorists, the attacks took place in the “Kendi” province in the Alibouri region, located more than 500 kilometers from Cotonou, the capital of Benin.
The rebellion in the Sahel region first began in 2012 after a Tuareg uprising in northern Mali and then spread to neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger. The crisis has recently spread to coastal countries such as Benin.
The conflict has so far killed thousands of people and displaced millions. The crisis has also contributed to five military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger between 2020 and 2023.
