Attack in Benin on January 8

A deadly terrorist attack occurred in Benin on Wednesday, January 8, marking the deadliest in the country's history. JNIM (Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin) officially claimed responsibility for the attack on January 10, reporting that at least 30 soldiers were killed, and a significant array of weapons was seized. In response, Benin's military has been conducting intense operations against militants entrenched in and around W Park. These operations reportedly included an aerial strike that resulted in the deaths of approximately 40 militants. This attack is particularly devastating as it targeted one of the most important bases in the region. In Imo (Karimama State), Benin's military is still not adequately prepared to face this growing threat. Local media reported that 28 soldiers were killed in this attack on a military position in Point Triple in W Park, at the Benin-Burkina Faso-Niger border. According to Alhadji Elias Gbangbanku, a local journalist and jihadist monitor, Katiba Hanifa is responsible for the attack. He noted that the militants did not come from Fada but from the Dosso area.

Comment: Since the creation of JNIM, other Islamic groups in the tri-border region have joined or forged close ties with the terrorist group. Among others, there is Ansarul Islam or Katiba Hanifa.