Boko Haram Attack on Chadian Army Kills 40 Near Nigerian Border
Overview of the Attack
An attack by the jihadist group Boko Haram on the Chadian army killed around 40 people overnight near the Nigerian border, according to the government and local sources.
Targeted Attack on Chadian Army Garrison
“A garrison housing more than 200 soldiers was targeted by members of Boko Haram” late on Sunday, a local source told AFP. The attack struck near Ngouboua in the west of the country, “tragically leaving about 40 people dead”.
Repercussions of the Attack
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno visited the scene early on Monday and launched an operation “to go after the attackers and track them down in their furthest hideouts”, according to the presidency’s statement. The attack struck at 10:00 pm local time (2100 GMT), local sources told AFP.
Boko Haram’s Hideouts and the Lake Chad Region
A vast expanse of water and swamps, Lake Chad’s countless islets serve as hideouts for jihadist groups, such as Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), who make regular attacks on the countries’ army and civilians. Boko Haram launched an insurgency in Nigeria in 2009, leaving more than 40,000 people dead and displacing two million, and the organisation has since spread to neighbouring countries.
History of Violence in the Region
In March 2020, the Chadian army suffered its biggest ever one-day losses in the region, when around 100 troops died in a raid on the lake’s Bohoma peninsula. The attack prompted then-president Idriss Deby Itno — the current president’s father — to launch an anti-jihadist offensive. In June, the International Office for Migration (IOM) recorded more than 220,000 people displaced by attacks from armed groups in Lake Chad province.
Conclusion
The attack by Boko Haram on the Chadian army is a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the region. The Chadian government’s response to the attack is crucial in addressing the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boko Haram?
Boko Haram is a jihadist group that has been responsible for numerous attacks in Nigeria and the surrounding region.
How many people were killed in the attack?
According to the government and local sources, around 40 people were killed in the attack.
What was the target of the attack?
The target was a Chadian army garrison housing over 200 soldiers, which was attacked by members of Boko Haram.