Seven Benin soldiers were killed by gunmen in an attack on Tuesday at Pendjari National Park, located near the country’s northern border with Burkina Faso. Security sources confirmed the attack but haven’t identified the perpetrators.
This incident highlights the growing insecurity in the region as Benin faces spillover from the ongoing conflicts in the Sahel. The area is also known for criminal gang activity and smuggling operations.
“The information about the loss of seven of our compatriots is confirmed,” an army source told AFP when asked about the attack. This attack aligns with Benin’s recent concerns about the deteriorating security situation in West Africa.
The country, along with its neighbors Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, are all on alert due to the escalating conflicts across their northern borders in the Sahel region. Benin shares a border with Burkina Faso and Niger, where extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group are actively fighting.
This isn’t the first such incident in Benin. In May, troops killed eight suspected militants in the northeast, near the border with Niger. Additionally, the withdrawal of French troops from Niger following a coup last July has heightened anxieties about worsening instability across the Sahel.
In response to these threats, Benin has launched Operation Mirador, deploying 3,000 troops to reinforce its border security. Recognizing the urgency, the European Union pledged €50 million in April to support Benin’s armed forces in acquiring reconnaissance aircraft and drones to combat terrorism.
While the Beninese government rarely comments on border violence, officials have acknowledged experiencing around 20 incursions since 2021. This attack underscores the escalating dangers Benin faces and the need for continued international support to ensure regional stability.
