N’Djamena, Chad — President Idris Mahamat Déby has ordered Chad’s armed forces to retaliate against any future attacks from Sudan following a deadly drone strike that killed at least 17 people and injured several others in the border town of Tiné.
Wearing military fatigues, Déby convened an emergency security meeting late Wednesday, directing the army to remain on high alert and announcing a “total closure” of the Sudanese border. He condemned the strike as “outrageous and a blatant aggression” against Chad’s sovereignty.
The attack struck mourners gathered for a funeral ceremony, residents told Reuters, describing how people had assembled at a house to recite the Koran when the drone hit.
Chad had already sealed its border with Sudan last month to curb repeated incursions by armed groups, though limited humanitarian exemptions were permitted.
The government issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to “strengthen the posture of its defence and security forces.” Officials warned that Chad was prepared to pursue its rights inside Sudanese territory “in strict compliance with international law.”
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls much of western Darfur, is suspected of carrying out the strike. The RSF denies involvement, blaming Sudan’s army, which in turn accuses the RSF. Sudan has frequently alleged that Chad supports the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, accusations N’Djamena rejects.
Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when a power struggle between the army and RSF erupted. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 13 million people, nearly one million of whom fled to Chad, according to the United Nations.
With Chad’s 1,400km border with Sudan already difficult to police, Déby’s order to retaliate raises fears of escalating violence across the region.
