JNIM Claims Responsibility for Deadly Benin Attack, Marking Escalation of Jihadist Violence

Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al Qaeda affiliate, has claimed responsibility for the deaths of 70 soldiers in attacks on two military posts in northern Benin. This represents the largest number of casualties claimed by jihadist groups in the country over the past decade of activity in West Africa, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

Benin, along with its coastal neighbor Togo, has experienced a surge in attacks in recent years. These attacks are attributed to groups affiliated with Islamic State and al Qaeda, which have extended their operations beyond the Sahel region to the north. Reuters was unable to independently verify the report.

The attacks occurred in Benin's northeastern Kandi province, within the Alibori department, over 500 km from the capital city of Cotonou. The statement from JNIM, released on Thursday, detailed the attacks.

The Sahel insurgency originated following a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali in 2012. It subsequently spread to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger before reaching the northern regions of coastal West African nations, including Benin.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of millions. This instability has contributed to a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023. Following these coups, military authorities in these countries have severed ties with traditional Western allies, such as France and the U.S., and have sought assistance from Russia in combating jihadist activities.