Latest news with #WilfriedLéandreHoungbédji
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Islamic militants kill at least 54 soldiers in northern Benin, government says
Islamic militants killed at least 54 soldiers in northern Benin last week, the country's government has said. The attack took place in the west African nation's north-eastern Alibori department, which borders Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. Benin's government originally said eight soldiers had died in last Thursday's attack, but significantly revised the death toll up on Wednesday. Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), a Mali-based terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda, said it was behind the killings. It claimed that it had killed 70 soldiers, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. Benin has seen terrorist activity increase in recent years, with extremist groups that operate in the Sahel region launching more cross-border attacks. Related What should Europe do as Russia gains influence in Africa's Sahel? The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, a border area between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, is particularly affected by this violence. Speaking about the latest attack, Benin government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji said that neighbouring countries need to do more to combat the threat posed by jihadists. "The points where these attacks of 17 April took place are on the border, so you can understand that if, on the other side of the border, there was a force like ours, these attacks would not take place in this way or would not even occur," he said. "The soldiers who have fallen are our children, our parents, our friends." JNIM also claimed responsibility for an attack in early January that left 28 Beninese soldiers dead.
Washington Post
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Benin says 54 soldiers were killed in an Islamic militant attack last week
COTONOU, Benin — An attack by Islamic militants on military posts in northern Benin last week left at least 54 soldiers dead, the West African country's government said. Authorities had previously said that only eight soldiers were killed on April 17. JNIM, an extremist group linked to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it killed 70 soldiers, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The attacks took place in Benin's northeastern Alibori department, which borders Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. Benin has for years faced spillover violence in its north from Sahel countries like Burkina Faso and Niger in their battle against Islamic extremist groups. The tri-border area has long been a hotbed for extremist violence, primarily concentrated around the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. The large national park spills over into all three countries and has become a launching pad for cross-border attacks by militants. Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji on Wednesday deplored the lack of cooperation with Benin's neighbors in the fight against extremist groups. 'The points where these attacks of April 17 took place are on the border, so you can understand that if, on the other side of the border, there was a force like ours, these attacks would not take place in this way or would not even occur,' he said.
Associated Press
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Benin says 54 soldiers were killed in an Islamic militant attack last week
COTONOU, Benin (AP) — An attack by Islamic militants on military posts in northern Benin last week left at least 54 soldiers dead, the West African country's government said. Authorities had previously said that only eight soldiers were killed on April 17. JNIM, an extremist group linked to al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it killed 70 soldiers, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The attacks took place in Benin's northeastern Alibori department, which borders Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. Benin has for years faced spillover violence in its north from Sahel countries like Burkina Faso and Niger in their battle against Islamic extremist groups. The tri-border area has long been a hotbed for extremist violence, primarily concentrated around the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex. The large national park spills over into all three countries and has become a launching pad for cross-border attacks by militants. Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji on Wednesday deplored the lack of cooperation with Benin's neighbors in the fight against extremist groups. 'The points where these attacks of April 17 took place are on the border, so you can understand that if, on the other side of the border, there was a force like ours, these attacks would not take place in this way or would not even occur,' he said.
See - Sada Elbalad
24-04-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
54 Soldiers Killed in Terrorist Attack in Benin
Israa Farhan The government of Benin has confirmed that 54 soldiers were killed in a deadly terrorist attack in the north of the country last week. The official toll, released Wednesday, is lower than the number claimed by a group linked to al-Qaeda, which took responsibility for the assault. This marks one of the deadliest attacks on Benin's military in recent years, highlighting the increasing threat posed by jihadist groups expanding their reach beyond the Sahel region into West Africa. Benin and neighboring Togo have both experienced a surge in extremist violence, as armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State intensify operations in the region. In a statement posted on Facebook, presidential spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji described the event as a "devastating loss for the nation," underlining the gravity of the security challenge facing the country. According to SITE Intelligence Group, an organization that monitors extremist activity, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group claimed responsibility on Saturday, stating it had killed 70 soldiers in attacks on two military outposts in northern Benin. While the government did not confirm the higher casualty figure, the incident underscores Benin's growing vulnerability to extremist violence spreading southward from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where foreign military operations have scaled down in recent years. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
