Benin: Intensified Military Operations Shift the Balance Against JNIM in the North

Overview

Since early 2025, the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) have undertaken a sustained military campaign in northern Benin aimed at countering the growing threat posed by jihadist groups affiliated with the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). These operations mark a significant change in the security landscape, reflecting both improved intelligence gathering and a more assertive operational posture by Benin’s security apparatus.

Operational Details

Between 12 and 30 June 2025, FAB units executed multiple offensive actions in the Alibori region, bordering Burkina Faso and Niger. Each strike was based on locally sourced intelligence, enabling rapid and targeted engagement of enemy cells.

• Casualties and seizures: More than twenty militants were neutralized, while strategic assets — including motorbikes used for cross-border mobility and various assault rifles — were captured.

• Key actions:

• Successful ambushes disrupting jihadist infiltration routes.

• Destruction of clandestine crossing points facilitating insurgent movement.

• Raids in remote areas leading to seizures of weapons and mobility assets.

• A major combined ground–air operation in Parc W, historically exploited by armed groups as a fallback and planning zone, which resulted in the destruction of several insurgent positions. Notably, no Beninese soldiers were injured in this engagement.

Strategic Impact

The sustained tempo of FAB’s operations is visibly eroding the influence of JNIM in northern Benin. Groups that previously relied on surprise and mobility are now confronted with an increasingly agile, well-equipped, and entrenched national force.

This shift has direct benefits for local populations:

• Increased security and reopening of transportation routes.

• Strengthened confidence in state authority.

• Reduction of armed group freedom of movement along key border areas.

Outlook

While pockets of instability remain across frontier zones with Burkina Faso and Niger, the operational momentum suggests a deliberate strategy by Benin to:

1. Reassert territorial control.

2. Deny jihadist groups long-term safe havens.

3. Reinforce sovereignty through a visible and effective military presence.

The cumulative effect is a strong deterrent message: the threat will not be allowed to consolidate in Benin.

Implications

For investors, diplomatic missions, and international partners, these developments carry important implications:

• Investment Climate: The ability of Benin’s security forces to contain cross-border jihadist networks is a critical determinant of stability for sectors such as energy, mining, logistics, and infrastructure. Sustained military gains could translate into a more predictable environment for medium- to long-term investments.

• Diplomatic Engagement: Embassies and international organizations require reliable situational awareness to calibrate their diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The evolving security picture in northern Benin will likely shape future bilateral and regional security cooperation frameworks.

• Cross-Border Dynamics: Given the shared borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, instability in neighbouring territories continues to present spillover risks. Investors and missions should account for regional volatility when assessing operational resilience.

African Security Analysis (ASA) provides:

• Timely Early-Warning Reports on militant group movements and shifting security dynamics.

• Operational Risk Assessments tailored to specific sectors (energy, infrastructure, extractives, logistics).

• Investor Briefings & Embassy Advisory Notes, integrating on-the-ground intelligence with strategic foresight.

• Protective Action Recommendations, including travel advisories, supply chain adjustments, and crisis-response frameworks.

Through these services, ASA enables decision-makers to safeguard personnel, protect assets, and pursue opportunities with greater confidence in complex environments such as northern Benin.