APA – Cotonou (Benin) For several years, Benin has been facing jihadist attacks in its northern frontiers.
Its army is giving details of its actions to combat terrorism in the north of the country.
In a report broadcast on national television on Thursday evening, the high command gave details of Operation Mirador, which has been running since 2022 in areas threatened by terrorism.
According to the army, three thousand men are currently deployed at strategic points often used by armed terrorist groups.
Colonel Faizou Gomina, commander of Operation Mirador, said government troops were deployed in the north-west on the border with Burkina Faso and in the north-east on the border with Niger.
According to the senior officer, the threat comes mainly from these two areas.
According to the Beninese army, road and air resources are being mobilised to prevent any infiltration by the jihadists.
The military is keeping a particularly close eye on the Penjari and W wildlife parks.
These two reserves straddle Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger.
According to Major Jean Olou, one of the military commanders of Operation Mirador, two years ago insurgents used these protected areas to cross the three countries with impunity, but since the soldiers took over, these movements have stopped.
In December 2022, during his traditional State of the Nation address to the National Assembly, President Patrice Talon announced that the state had already invested more than 80 billion CFA francs in the fight against terrorism.
In April 2023, the government announced the recruitment of five thousand new soldiers to step up the fight against terrorism.
In December 2021, insurgent attacks began in a part of northern Benin.
Dozens of soldiers and civilians have been killed by fighters belonging to al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliates.
The deadliest attack took place in early May 2023 when unidentified gunmen entered a village in the northwestern Kérou commune at night and cold-bloodedly executed thirteen residents.
RK/ac/lb/as/APA