A devastating attack by jihadist fighters has left 12 Togolese soldiers dead and several others injured at a military advanced base in the village of Kpankankandi, located about 10-15 kilometres from the Burkina Faso border.
The assault, which took place on Saturday, was reportedly carried out by hundreds of fighters from the jihadist group Ansaroul Islam, which is part of Jamaat Nasratul al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). The extremists also destroyed military equipment and seized weaponry during the attack.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, Zagazola Makana, reported on his X handle that the Kpankankandi area has experienced numerous incursions by jihadists based in Kompienga and Pama in Burkina Faso since 2021. The group controlling this part of Burkina Faso is led by Burkinabe Fulbe Iddrisa Dicko, also known as Sekou Mouslem.
“According to sources, the sheer number of jihadist fighters overwhelmed the Togolese special forces, giving them little time to respond. After a brief but intense confrontation, the jihadists forced the Togolese forces into a disorderly retreat and maintained control of the barracks for several hours before withdrawing back to Burkina Faso, having emptied the barracks of its contents,” Makana stated.
Since the start of jihadist attacks in November 2021, nearly 150 people, including security forces, have lost their lives in Togo, with significant losses in war materials.
Reports indicate that the Togolese government has attempted to negotiate with the jihadist group to halt the attacks and their advancement into Togo. However, these efforts have reportedly failed, with the jihadists showing no interest in the negotiations facilitated by a prominent NGO. The jihadists have set forth three main preconditions for any negotiation: the release of JNIM militants and other suspects from Togolese prisons, compensation for cattle or goods destroyed by Togolese forces during patrols, and support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The large-scale attack may be part of JNIM fighters’ efforts to establish a Mantiqa, an autonomous region in Togo, following the group’s recent granting of a Mantiqa to the fighters of Katiba Hanifa.
