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Several soldiers were killed in two attacks across the Northern region of Benin Republic, where terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda have intensified operations, military sources said on Wednesday.
The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday near Benin’s border with Burkina Faso, were reportedly carried out by armed men riding motorcycles.
Although authorities did not provide an official casualty figure, a senior military officer confirmed to AFP that army positions in the Kourou district came under attack.
The officer added that the assailants also suffered significant losses during the clashes.
“Our positions were targeted by columns of armed individuals on motorbikes,” the officer said.
Another military source in the region also confirmed casualties on both sides.
The attacks were claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a jihadist organisation linked to Al-Qaeda that has expanded operations across parts of West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Benin has faced increasing security threats in its northern region despite the deployment of a special anti-jihadist force since 2022. Armed groups have continued to exploit dense forest areas along border communities to launch attacks.
The incidents came just two days after newly sworn-in President Romuald Wadagni pledged to take a firm stance against threats to national unity and security.
During his inauguration, Wadagni said his administration would invest more resources in strengthening the country’s security framework.
