The Chadian national army has been placed on maximum alert following a lethal drone strike on the border town of Tine that resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians.
The attack, which occurred late Wednesday evening, reportedly targeted a group of people gathered at a burial site. While Chadian authorities have confirmed the drone originated from Sudanese territory, the exact source of the launch remains under investigation as Sudan continues to be embroiled in a civil war that began in April 2023.
In response to the escalation, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno convened an emergency security council meeting overnight with the Prime Minister and the heads of defense and national security. During the session, the President ordered a complete closure of the 1,300-km border with Sudan and instructed the armed forces to prepare for immediate retaliation in the event of any further incursions. A government delegation is also being dispatched to the Wadi Fira region to assess the human and material toll of the strike.
The incident has further strained relations between the two neighbors, following Chad’s previous decision in February to restrict border access due to increasing spillover from the Sudanese conflict. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have issued a formal denial of involvement, instead accusing the Sudanese regular army of orchestrating the strike. While the Sudanese military has yet to release an official response, the Chadian government has reaffirmed its right to pursue belligerents on Sudanese territory to ensure the protection of its citizens and territorial integrity.
CA/Sf/te/fss/abj/APA