An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group on Friday claimed responsibility for an attack in northern Benin near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger that killed at least 28 troops this week.
The raid, which was the deadliest the Beninese army has suffered in years, took place late Wednesday in the border area between Benin and its insurgency-hit neighbors.
Attacks in northern Benin have increased in recent years with authorities accusing the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda groups based in neighboring countries, including the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
The jihadist group, which operates in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, claimed a death toll of more than 30 and said it had seized weapons, ammunition, and a drone, according to the statement cited by Site Intelligence.
The United States in November sent $6.6 million worth of armored vehicles and defense equipment to Benin, while the European Union earlier this year announced 47 million euros ($49 million) in anti-terror funding for the country.
Neighboring Ghana and Togo have also suffered jihadist attacks in recent years.
