UAE condemns armed attack on military site in Benin

The UAE has strongly condemned the targeted attack on a military site in the West African nation of Benin.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.

It expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Benin and to the families of the victims.

The attack near the Burkina Faso-Niger border reportedly killed at least 30 soldiers, the national guard's chief of staff, Colonel Faizou Gomina, said.

An al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for the attack, seizing weapons, ammunition and a drone, according to the statement cited by Site Intelligence. 

Groups linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda have expanded their presence in West Africa over the last few years, most notably in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, resulting in increased cross-border attacks. 

More than 120 Beninese military officers were killed between 2021 and December 2024, a diplomatic source told the AFP news agency.

An armed attack killed three soldiers and injured four others who were guarding an oil pipeline in the northeast last month. 

Colonel Gomina said the position attacked had been "one of the strongest and most militarised" and called on military commanders to improve their operational strategies in order to counter security threats.

Benin in January 2022 launched Operation Mirador to protect its borders and deployed 3,000 soldiers.