The French presidency reported on Tuesday that Paris supported the government of Benin «in terms of surveillance, monitoring, and logistical support», without confirming or denying the deployment of French troops. Colonel Tifodjri explained: «The Beninese army really fought hard and faced the enemy all day», adding that «after the Beninese army accomplished its mission, special French forces were sent from Abidjan and participated in the search operations».On Wednesday, Chief of Staff of the Beninese Republican Guard, Dieudonne Djimon Tifodjri, announced that France had deployed special forces to support the army in repelling a coup attempt, in addition to the intervention of the Nigerian Air Force, which launched supporting strikes. A senior government official in Benin stated that the leader of the failed coup attempt had sought refuge in neighboring Togo.
