Chad’s president, Idris Mahamat Déby, has ordered the military to retaliate against any future attacks from Sudan after a drone strike killed at least 17 people and injured several others during a funeral in the border town of Tiné.
Wearing military uniform, President Déby convened an emergency security meeting on Wednesday evening, instructing the military to be on high alert and ordering a “total closure” of the border with Sudan. He described the attack as “outrageous and a blatant aggression” against Chad’s territorial integrity.
The attack occurred despite prior warnings issued to the warring factions in Sudan and a previous closure of the border last month. Chad had allowed “exceptional exemptions” for humanitarian reasons, subject to prior authorisation from relevant authorities.
Residents reported that the victims were mourners attending a funeral ceremony involving readings from the Koran. The attack drew widespread condemnation, including from the National Assembly and MPs from the ruling party.
A government statement expressed deep dismay over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families. It also stated that Chad had “strengthened the posture of its defence and security forces” and is prepared to pursue its rights inside Sudanese territory “in strict compliance with the rules of international law.”
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls most of western Darfur bordering Chad, is suspected of carrying out the attack. The RSF denies involvement and instead blames Sudan’s army, which has not responded to the allegations. Sudan has previously accused Chad of supporting the RSF with weapons and mercenaries, claims which N’Djamena denies.
Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, following a violent power struggle between its army and the RSF. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than 13 million people, nearly one million of whom have fled to Chad, according to the UN.
Chad shares a 1,400km (870-mile) porous border with Sudan, making control challenging. The president’s order to retaliate against future attacks has raised fears of further escalation in the already volatile region.
