A civilian helicopter chartered by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) experienced a mechanical failure and made a forced landing outside Cotonou, Benin, on Friday.
The helicopter, which was providing medical evacuation support to the Beninese Armed Forces, suffered no injuries during the incident.
The incident occurred in Sedje-Denou, a district of the municipality of Ze in southern Benin, after the helicopter encountered technical difficulties while en route from Parakou to Cotonou.
Beninese civil aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
This event follows a recent terrorist attack in northern Benin, where 30 soldiers were killed by al-Qaeda-linked militants. The Beninese military launched a counter-offensive, resulting in the deaths of 40 terrorists.
These incidents highlight the growing security challenges faced by Benin and other countries in the region due to the activities of terrorist groups operating in neighboring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.