Benin must stay one step ahead of violent extremists using IEDs

Attacks using improvised explosive devices are among the deadliest. They require flexible responses that match terror groups’ changing tactics. Insurgents are increasingly using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Benin to hamper the mobility and responsiveness of the country’s defence and Read More …

North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers partner with Togo, Benin soldiers to counter IEDs

Two U.S. Army Soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard visited African countries Togo and Benin Feb. 6-17, 2023, to exchange best practices in countering improvised explosive devices with Togalese Armed Forces and Benin Armed Forces. U.S. Army Staff Sgts. Read More …

AQIM’s Imperial Playbook: Understanding al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb’s Expansion into West Africa

In 2021, the United Nations noted the newfound threats of the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a branch of al-Qa`ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), that extended into Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast, stretching farther yet Read More …

Benin: Five soldiers killed in IED attack in north west

Five soldiers were killed in an attack by suspected an armed group possibly linked to ISIL or al-Qaeda in a national park in the north of Benin Republic, two military sources have said. The attack on Monday also wounded several Read More …

Benin: Death toll in national park attacks in the north rises as France opens terror probe

Nine people including a Frenchman were killed this week in attacks in a national park in Benin’s remote north bordering troubled Niger and Burkina Faso, according to a government update. The toll was the deadliest in recent attacks Benin has Read More …

Benin army vehicle strikes land mine as security fears in north grow

A Benin army vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in a national park near the border with Burkina Faso on Thursday, the park’s management said, the latest in a series of security incidents as fears rise about widening Islamist violence. Read More …

Selected Police personnel in Africa trained in explosives combat

Selected Police personnel from 11 African countries have undergone explosive recognition and awareness training to combat explosive-related threats by terrorists and extremists. The two-week training dubbed: “Explosives Hazards Awareness Training (EHAT) of Trainers,” drew participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Read More …

Nigeria, others seek UK support over Boko Haram, ISWAP

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) says it is exploring areas of support from the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism. Chief of Military Public Information, Col. Muhammad Dole, announced this in a statement on Saturday. Member countries of Read More …