Benin: Islamic State claims responsibility for two attacks in Alibori Department July 1 and 2

Event

The Islamic State announced Sept. 15 that its Sahel Province (ISSP) affiliate carried out two attacks in Alibori Department, July 1 and 2. The assaults reportedly left six soldiers dead. In addition, unknown assailants attacked a custom post in Malanville, Alibori Department, Sept. 14 killing at least two individuals. Militants or armed bandits may have carried out the assault.

Context

The Sept. 15 claims underscore the elevated militancy threat in parts of northern Atakora and Alibori departments bordering Burkina Faso and Niger.

ISSP - formerly The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) - first claimed responsibility in March 2022 for an attack on Malian forces near Gao under the name its new name, indicating that the Sahel region is a strategic priority for the group. Officials and news media may continue to refer to the group as ISGS.

As groups aligned with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) continue to make gains in Burkina Faso and elsewhere, further militant encroachment southward into coastal West Africa, including Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ghana, remains increasingly possible. Indeed, Benin experienced an uptick in attacks in 2022, similarly to Cote d’Ivoire in 2021. Ghana issued a terrorist threat warning in May citing security conditions in the region and recent attacks against neighboring countries, concluding that there was reason to believe that Ghana was being targeted. In addition, authorities in Togo extended a state of security emergency in the Savanes Region initially implemented in June until March 2023.

Advice

Exercise a high level of personal security caution in northern Benin. Remain courteous and cooperative if approached and questioned by security personnel. Do not discuss plans and routes publicly. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.