Islamic State claims first attacks inside Benin

[Valin]

FDD's Long War Journal

Caleb Weiss

September 17, 2022

Through its weekly Al-Naba newsletter earlier this week, the Islamic State officially claimed its first two operations inside Benin. The attacks now join the chorus of strikes committed inside the littoral West African country by its main regional competitor, al Qaeda’s Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

On Thursday, the Islamic State retroactively took credit for two assaults inside Benin’s northern Alibori Department, which borders both Burkina Faso and Niger. In its first claim, the Islamic State said its men were responsible for an ambush on Beninese troops near the town of Alfa Kawoura on July 1, reportedly killing four soldiers. This incident does not seem to correlate to any known reported attack. 

However, in its second claim, it stated its men carried out the July 2 attack in Benin’s northern Parc W that killed two Beninese soldiers. The jihadist group also released a graphic photo showing the two killed troops. For both assaults, the Islamic State said its Sahel Province, which is more colloquially known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), were responsible. 

Including the uncorroborated Islamic State claim, Benin has now suffered at least 19 jihadist attacks since 2019. This number, however, could be higher. The vast majority have been committed by JNIM

(Snip)