France opened a terrorism investigation into an attack on park rangers in northern Benin in which a French national was among eight people killed, while the African country reported the death of another person in a fresh attack.
The French government condemned the ambush in which five rangers along with their French instructor, a civilian park employee and a soldier were killed and 12 others wounded while on an anti-poaching mission in W National Park on Tuesday.
"The national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office has opened a probe with a charge of murder in connection with a terrorist undertaking after having been informed of the passing of a 50-year-old French national following a terrorist attack in the W park, north Benin," French prosecutors said in a statement.
Benin authorities reported a new attack on Thursday in which one civilian park employee was killed when a reconnaissance patrol hit an improvised explosive device.
Tuesday's incident was the deadliest in a string of attacks since December in northern Benin, where groups linked to al Qaeda and IS have spilled over from Burkina Faso and Niger.
Eight arrested by UK police over London arson attacks
US positive on Iran deal but talks still uncertain as ceasefire end nears
Gunman kills one, wounds 13 at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids
Iran says no decision yet on joining peace talks
Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza, say health officials
