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2025 Point Triple attack

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On January 8, 2025, Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin forces launched an armed assault on Benin forces in the Point Triple zone in the Alibori Department, near the shared border of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Background

Benin, traditionally a peaceful country, has been drawn into the Sahel's security crisis over recent years. Armed groups have expanded operations southward, threatening coastal West African nations. Almost 5 million people were forcibly displaced across the Sahel region as of August 2024, a 25% increase since 2020. This along with JNIM and IS launching high-impact attacks targeting state forces, militias, and civilians with increasing lethality, have prompted Benin to bolster military deployments and collaborate with neighboring states through regional initiatives like The Accra Initiative, which aims to combat terrorism through joint security operations.

Attack and military response

On January 8, 2025 the attackers, reportedly affiliated with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), utilized improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to breach the post's defenses. Following the detonation of the explosives, heavily armed militants engaged in direct combat with the stationed troops. The confrontation lasted several hours and a death toll of 28 soldiers was reported among military personnel.

In response to the attack, the Beninese Armed Forces launched a counter-offensive with ground reinforcements and aerial support. Air force planes were deployed to repel the attackers and secure the area. A subsequent mopping-up operation aimed to assess the extent of the damage and track the assailants who fled the scene.

International responses

UAE: The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the attack on the military site in the Alibori region of Benin. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed its rejection of these criminal acts and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

ECOWAS: Leaders acknowledge insecurity as the region's most urgent concern, noting terrorists' increasing aggression and use of sophisticated weaponry.

UN: The UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel has urged the Security Council to scale up support within regional frameworks to combat the growing strength of terrorist groups

References

  1. ^ "The Sahel's Struggle Against Jihadist Expansion in 2025". Solace Global. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  2. "Sahel+ situation". Global Focus. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  3. "Accra Initiative". ECFR. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  4. "Responding to Security Threats from the Sahel: What Role for External Security Partnerships in Coastal West African States?" (PDF). 2024.
  5. "Militants inflict heavy losses on Benin's armed forces in an attack in the north". AP News. 2025-01-10. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  6. ^ "Al-Qaeda-Linked Jihadist Group Claims Deadly Benin Attack". The Defense Post. Agence France-Presse. 2025-01-11. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  7. ^ "Benin attack: Army suffers heavy losses in Niger - Burkina Faso border raid". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  8. Etahoben, Chief Bisong (2025-01-10). "28 Soldiers Killed in Latest Terrorist Attack in Benin Republic Border". HumAngle. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  9. "UAE condemns terrorist attack on military site in Benin". Gulf News. 2025-01-12. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  10. "UAE condemns terrorist attack on military site in Benin". wam.ae. 2025.
  11. "Amid Growing Strength of Terrorist Groups in Sahel, West Africa, Senior Official Urges Security Council to Scale Up Support within Regional Frameworks - Benin". ReliefWeb. 2024-12-20. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
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