Benin Says 45 Militants Killed in Northern Anti-Terror Operations

The Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) said at least 45 suspected jihadist militants were killed during counter-terrorism operations carried out in northern Benin between October and December 2025, according to an internal military memo confirmed by international news agencies, including Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The operations were conducted under Operation Mirador, Benin’s main anti-insurgency campaign aimed at preventing the spillover of extremist violence from the Sahel into its northern regions. Military officials said the militants were “neutralized” during several clashes across designated security zones near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.

According to the memo, the encounters took place in remote and forested areas that have increasingly been used by armed groups to stage cross-border incursions and attacks on local communities and security forces.

Rising Pressure on Northern Borders

Benin has faced a growing jihadist threat in recent years as armed groups linked to Sahel-based networks expand southward. Authorities say Operation Mirador combines military patrols, intelligence-led raids, and coordination with neighboring countries to secure vulnerable border corridors.

While the army reported significant militant losses, it did not disclose details on casualties among its own forces or civilians, citing operational security concerns.

Regional Security Context

The developments underscore mounting security pressure across coastal West African states, as violence originating in the Sahel continues to spread toward the Gulf of Guinea. Beninese authorities have repeatedly warned that sustained regional cooperation will be critical to preventing further destabilization.

No independent verification of the reported militant death toll was immediately available.