Benin’s northern region continues to witness escalating violence as clashes between the military and armed groups have left ten people dead, including one soldier, in the past week. The incident highlights the growing security concerns in the West African nation, particularly near its borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.
Army Launches Offensive Against Armed Groups
According to military sources, an overnight operation from Thursday to Friday resulted in the deaths of nine suspected militants. The offensive was launched in the commune of Karimama, a region that has seen increasing activity from armed groups.
The military response followed an attack earlier in Kantoro, where an improvised explosive device (IED) killed a Beninese soldier and injured two others. Both communities are near the Niger border, an area that has recently experienced a surge in violence.
A military officer, speaking anonymously, stated that the operation included both aerial and ground assaults, leading to the destruction of a significant logistics hub used by the armed groups.
Growing Insurgency Threat in Benin
Benin has long been regarded as a stable country in West Africa, but its northern regions have been facing increasing attacks, often attributed to jihadist groups linked to Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda. These groups have expanded from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, exploiting local tensions and weak state presence.
While Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou, continues to attract international tourists, the north remains vulnerable to these threats. In recent years, several deadly attacks have been reported, raising fears that violence could spill over into other parts of the country.
In February 2024, six Beninese soldiers were killed in an attack by unidentified gunmen, prompting the military to retaliate, killing 17 assailants. The month before, 28 soldiers were killed in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM).
A diplomatic source reported that 121 Beninese military personnel had been killed between 2021 and December 2024, reflecting the growing scale of the insurgency.
Government and International Response
In response to the escalating violence, Benin has deployed nearly 3,000 troops under Operation Mirador to secure its northern borders. Additionally, the government has recruited 5,000 new security personnel to strengthen its military presence in the region.
On Thursday, the United States and Benin signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement, aimed at bolstering defense collaboration between the Beninese Armed Forces and the US Army.
However, security analysts argue that a military-heavy approach may not be enough to counter the growing insurgency. Some experts suggest that addressing political, ethnic, and economic issues in the affected regions could play a crucial role in weakening extremist recruitment efforts.
Sources By Agencies
