Armed assault in northern Benin leaves 15 troops dead

At least 15 members of the Benin Armed Forces were killed, and four were injured in an attack by armed assailants in Kofouno, according to the army.

Army spokesperson Colonel James Johnson confirmed the preliminary figures from the March 4 incident, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The four injured soldiers received medical treatment and are not in life-threatening condition.

Following the attack, a group of armed men reportedly tried to retreat from the area. They were observed and targeted by military aircraft, which neutralised four fighters.

“The intervention of our aircraft made it possible to neutralise four combatants,” Johnson said, adding that operations were ongoing to prevent the attackers from escaping and to secure the zone after the assault.

At the time the preliminary toll was announced, Beninese forces were continuing operations to maintain control in the region.

Northern Benin, particularly border areas, has faced increasing security challenges in recent years due to armed group incursions, including a terrorist attack last year that killed 54 soldiers.

Authorities have increased military deployments and surveillance operations in these zones in response to attacks targeting security forces and border communities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada