An attack in Benin Republic’s northeast has left 70 soldiers dead, marking the highest death toll from a single jihadist operation in the country.

The assault, claimed by al Qaeda-linked group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), targeted two military posts in Kandi province.

The SITE Intelligence Group reported that JNIM released a statement confirming the coordinated assaults on Thursday.

“We carried out the attacks on two military posts in Kandi province,” their statement read.

The group’s involvement has raised concerns about the growing threat of extremism in the region.

The attack is part of a larger regional crisis that began as a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali in 2012.

The jihadist threat has since spiralled out of control, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and now, the Gulf of Guinea nations.

“The situation is getting worse, and we need to take action to prevent further destabilization,” said one security expert.

Benin and its coastal neighbour, Togo, have been experiencing an uptick in militant activity.

The attack has raised concerns about the country’s ability to counter the growing threat of extremism.

The jihadist threat has triggered a wave of instability, contributing to five military coups across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023.

Countries like Benin face a growing security crisis that could destabilise a region previously considered relatively insulated from the Sahel’s insurgent violence.

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