Suspected jihadist insurgents launched a devastating attack on military posts located within Benin’s W National Park last week, resulting in the deaths of 54 troops. This grim update was provided by government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji during a press briefing, revealing a significant increase in the death toll from an earlier report that indicated eight soldiers had lost their lives.
This incident marks the deadliest attack on the Beninese military since the onset of jihadist activities in the northern region of the country. The attack, which occurred on April 17, has been attributed to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an organization linked to al-Qaeda. In a statement, GSIM claimed responsibility for the attack and asserted that the casualty count was even higher, estimating that as many as 70 soldiers were killed.
Government spokesman Houngbedji acknowledged the severity of the assault, stating, “Even if it’s not the 70 … it’s a lot.” He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting, “The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends.”
In response to the growing threat from jihadist groups, the Beninese government had strategically deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to fortify its borders back in January 2022. Following this, an additional 5,000 troops were dispatched to enhance security measures in the northern regions of the country, where the influence of jihadist groups has been intensifying.
This latest attack adds to a troubling trend; just a few months earlier, in January, 28 soldiers were killed in a similar assault near the borders of Benin with Niger and Burkina Faso—another incident that was also claimed by GSIM. The increasing frequency and severity of these attacks underscore the escalating challenges faced by Benin in maintaining security and combatting extremist violence in the region.
